logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2025
47m 31s

Body returned 'not hostage', Israeli mil...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Israel has accused Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal after forensic testing revealed the body returned from Gaza on Thursday was not that of Shiri Bibas.

The three other bodies handed over have been identified as her sons, Ariel and Kfir, who would have been aged five and two, and peace activist Oded Lifschitz, 84, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. Hamas have said Shiri's remains seem to have been mixed up with other bodies under the rubble of a structure after an Israeli air strike.

Also in the programme: Can Arab countries come up with a plan to change Donald Trump's mind on Gaza?; and a BBC investigation looks into the companies fuelling West Africa's opioid epidemic.

(Photo shows Israeli soldiers carrying the coffins of deceased hostages on 20 February 2025. Credit: Handout via REUTERS)

Up next
Oct 2023
Gaza in 'total chaos': BBC reporter
There's been a blackout of communications in Gaza since Friday night. The Israeli military is intensifying its bombing of Gaza and says its troops and tanks remain on the ground. We hear from our reporter in southern Gaza, a medic who hasn't heard from colleagues since last night ... Show More
47m 36s
Oct 2023
Israel 'intensifies' air strikes on Gaza
Israel says it's increasing air strikes and ground operations in Gaza and has again warned Palestinians in Gaza City to move south. Mobile phone and internet services in the territory have been shut down. Also in the programme: the latest on the Maine shooter; and Israel's former ... Show More
50m 29s
Oct 2023
UN says only ‘crumbs’ of aid going into Gaza
UN agencies have warned that civilians in Gaza are facing an ever more desperate situation after three weeks of Israeli siege and bombardment. Aid trucks that have been allowed in through an Egyptian crossing point so far have provided only "crumbs", says UNRWA (the UN's agency f ... Show More
48m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 19
Day 744 - As skirmishes continue in Gaza, when is the war over?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As two more hostages' bodies are released to I ... Show More
18m 4s
Jan 2025
'All of Israel is hugging the hostages, but the government isn't'
This week, phase one of the long-awaited cease-fire between Israel and Hamas went into effect. As part of the deal, three Israeli hostages - Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher – were freed from Hamas captivity after 471 days. Israelis were glued to their televisions ... Show More
18m 33s
Oct 16
Day 741 - Is Hamas playing games with remaining hostage bodies?
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. As Hamas announced it has handed over to Israe ... Show More
14m 36s
Oct 14
Day 739 - Hamas withholds dead hostages, dampening joy of returned living
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Editor David Horovitz joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. We begin the program by describing the joy and relief experi ... Show More
29m 6s
Sep 22
Day 717 - IDF says half of Gaza City emptied as troops roll in
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. More than half of the estimated one million ... Show More
19m 33s
Sep 29
Day 724 - Gaza City nearly encircled as IDF deepens operations
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode. We begin the program with an update on the c ... Show More
22m 2s
Oct 2024
Why, after Yahya Sinwar’s death, is Israel bombarding northern Gaza?
<p>For weeks, the Israeli military has isolated the north of Gaza, conducting air strikes and ground attacks, including on residential areas and hospitals.</p> <p>In back-to-back attacks on Beit Lahia and the nearby Jabalia refugee camp last Friday and Saturday, more than 100 peo ... Show More
21m 55s
Nov 2023
Israel admits airstrike on ambulance outside Gaza hospital
Israel admits responsibility for an attack on an ambulance outside a Gaza hospital saying it was being used by Hamas. As the Israeli forces pound Gaza from the air and on the ground, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists there will be no ceasefire until Hamas hostages are fre ... Show More
1h 23m
Aug 31
Day 695 - On the ground in Gaza City
Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world. Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman joins host Jessica Steinberg for today's episode. The government's weekly cabinet meeting was he ... Show More
17m 53s