War Day 505: Six Living Hostages Freed, Massive Bombing Attack Thwarted

War Summary, Day 503-505: Forensics reveal terrorists murdered the Bibas children and not by Israeli airstrikes, Hamas originally delivered the body of a random woman instead of Shiri Bibas, 6 living hostages were brought back to Israel on Shabbos, release of 620 terrorists delayed until Hamas guarantees the next handover of four hostage bodies next week without public ceremonies, and big miracle with massive bus bombing attack averted.

By Mrs. Bruria Efune and Anash.org

– 70 held captive in Gaza.
– 36 hostages confirmed murdered held in Gaza.
– 141 living hostages rescued.
– 44 hostage bodies rescued.
– 1,825 Israelis killed.
– 413 fallen soldiers and police in the battle in Gaza.
– 87 fallen soldiers in Northern Israel.
– 18 fallen soldiers and police in Judea & Samaria.
– 30,683 estimated projectiles fired at Israel.
– 70,000 Israelis displaced from their homes.
– 1 Jewish nation united in prayer, charity, and good deeds.

Top Headlines:

– Forensics: terrorists murdered the Bibas children and not by Israeli airstrikes
– Hamas originally delivered the body of a random woman instead of Shiri Bibas
– 6 living hostages were brought back to Israel on Shabbos
– Release of 620 terrorists delayed until Hamas guarantees the next handover of four hostage bodies next week without public ceremonies
– Miracle: massive bus bombing attack averted.

Hostages:

After a sickening ceremony on stage, with an audience of around a thousand Gazans, Hamas delivered four coffins to Israel.

Three were confirmed to contain the bodies of hostages: Oded Lifshitz (84), Kfir Bibas (9 months), and Ariel Bibas (4).

The forensics team, in combination with intelligence known to the IDF, also found that the three hostages had been murdered by their terrorist captors. Despite Hamas claims that the Bibas children were killed in an IDF airstrike, there was clear evidence that the children were brutally and intentionally murdered in November 2023. Oded Lifshitz was similarly murdered by his Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas captors.

The fourth coffin was supposed to have the body of Shiri Bibas. From the first glance, the forensics team knew it was not her body. But they did extensive testing anyway. The body was not identified as any of the hostages and is instead a random woman from Gaza. Of course, this is a direct violation of the ceasefire agreement. It is also yet another stab of torture to the Bibas family and all of Israel.

Israel demanded that Hamas return the actual body of Shiri Bibas. On Friday, February 21, Israel confirmed that Hamas finally returned her body, after a mix-up on Thursday when they handed over an unidentified woman’s body instead. The Bibas family confirmed her murder in captivity today.

On Shabbos, Hamas completed the release of all six living hostages promised in the ceasefire’s first phase: Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were freed in Rafah, followed by Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem-Tov, and Omer Wenkert in Nuseirat, and Hisham al-Sayed from Gaza City. All are now in Israel undergoing medical checks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement: “In light of Hamas’s repeated violations—including the disgraceful ceremonies that dishonor our hostages and the cynical use of hostages for propaganda—it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists planned for Saturday until the release of the next hostages is ensured, without the humiliating ceremonies.”

Gaza:

Hamas continues to send terrorists and supporters to approach IDF positions in the buffer zone and Philadelphi Corridor. IDF troops throughout the stretch fired several rounds of warning shots today to repel approaching suspects.

In one incident in Northern Gaza, a group of suspects approached an IDF position, and after warning shots were fired, one continued to quickly advance towards the troops, posing a threat. The troops fired directly at him, neutralizing the threat.

Bat Yam Bombings:

On Thursday evening, three empty buses exploded in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv. Then, two additional explosive devices were found and defused on buses in Bat Yam and Holon.

It was found that all five bombs had been planted in a coordinated attack. The bombs had timers on them and were supposed to detonate during morning rush hour on Friday, in densely populated areas. Thank G-d, in a touch of love on a hard day, the three bombs went off early, leading to the discovery of the other two. If the attack hadn’t been prevented, the casualties could have been in the hundreds.

One of the unexploded devices bore a message referencing “Revenge from Tulkarem,” alluding to recent IDF operations in the Samaria city.

Immediately after the incident, public transportation was temporarily paused, while all buses were searched. Citizens were asked to be vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Hillel Fuld, Israeli entrepreneur and public speaker, reported that according to his sources, the bombing attack was part of a much larger planned assault. As the buses exploded and security and emergency forces rushed to the scene, a massive breach of the security fence was intended to take place. Terrorists from Judea and Samaria were expected to invade Israel, aiming to carry out an attack on the scale of October 7, but this time targeting multiple major cities throughout Israel.

Judea & Samaria:

The Shin Bet suspects that the bus bombing plot was planned and directed by terror groups in Samaria. Many crossings in the area were immediately closed off, and security was dramatically increased.

The ongoing operation in Samaria was increased, with three additional IDF battalions deployed to the area.

The home of terrorist Amar Odeh in Salfit was destroyed today. On August 4, 2024, Odeh carried out a terrorist attack in the city of Holon, murdering Rina Daniv and Avraham Sumichi, and injuring two others. It is Israeli protocol to destroy the home of any terrorist who carries out an attack and murders people.

Lebanon:

On Wednesday night, IDF airstrikes targeted crossings on the Syria-Lebanon border that were being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons into Lebanese territory.

With thanks to Bruria for these important updates and לע”נ יהושע אלחנן בן יוסף מרדכי ע”ה