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Published February 21, 2025last updated February 21, 2025The IDF accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after it was unable to identify one of the bodies exchanged on Thursday. Meanwhile, Arab leaders are meeting to discuss Gaza reconstruction. DW has more.
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Hamas militants said they handed over the remains of four hostages on ThursdayImage: Stringer/REUTERSSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know The Israeli military said one of the four bodies exchanged on Thursday could not be identified as a hostage Leaders from the Gulf states plus Egypt and Jordan will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a plan to rebuild Gaza Here are the latest developments in Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East on Friday, February 21:
Skip next section Netanyahu accuses Hamas of violating ceasefireFebruary 21, 2025
Netanyahu accuses Hamas of violating ceasefireIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday morning accused Hamas of committing a “cruel and evil” violation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by not returning the remains of hostage Shiri Bibas as agreed.
The Israeli military earlier said it could not identify the body that Hamas claimed was Bibas during a hostage handover on Thursday. The three other bodies were able to be identified.
“We will act with determination to bring Shiri home along with all our hostages, both living and dead, and ensure Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement,” he said in a video statement on social media.
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Skip next section IDF says the remains of hostage Shiri Bibas not returnedFebruary 21, 2025
IDF says the remains of hostage Shiri Bibas not returnedThe Israeli military said on Friday that one of the four bodies returned from Gaza is not Shiri Bibas, as Hamas militants claimed.
Hamas, which Israel, the United States, the European Union and others consider a terrorist organization, had returned four bodies on Thursday as part of a ceasefire deal.
“During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
“This is an anonymous, unidentified body.”
“This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages,” the statement continued.
“We demand that Hamas return Shiri home with all our hostages.”
The bodies of Babas’ two sons were also returned. Hamas claimed that the three Bibas family members were killed in Israeli airstrikes during the early months of the war, but Israel has not confirmed this.
The father, Yarden, was released alive by Hamas earlier in the month.
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Skip next section Saudi Arabia to host summit on Gaza reconstructionFebruary 21, 2025
Saudi Arabia to host summit on Gaza reconstructionZac Crellin | Louis Oelofse
Saudi Arabia will host “an informal brotherly gathering” of Gulf leaders on Friday, the country’s state-run media said, reportedly to devise a reconstruction plan for Gaza that counters US President Donald Trump’s plan to “take over” the territory.
The summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, will include leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Egypt and Jordan.
A source close to the Saudi government told the AFP news agency that the leaders were set to discuss “a version of the Egyptian plan.”
Egypt has staunchly opposed Trump’s plan to expel some 2 million Palestinians from Gaza, considering it a violation of Palestinian sovereignty.
https://p.dw.com/p/4qozG
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