The IDF responded with a statement saying they were “assessing the accuracy of the information”. It said they had spoken to the relatives of the Bibas family and “are with them at this difficult time”.
“Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages in the Gaza Strip. Hamas must be held accountable. Hamas’ actions continue to endanger the hostages, which include nine children. Hamas must immediately release our hostages,” the IDF said.
Minutes after the Hamas claim emerged, a senior Israeli official who was holding a briefing at the time said “I hope it’s not true” and “we have no indication they’re murdered”.
The Bibas family said it had “learned of Hamas’ latest claims”, according to a statement from the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.
“We are waiting for the information to be confirmed and hopefully refuted by military officials. We thank the people of Israel for their warm support, but kindly request privacy during this difficult time,” they said.
IDF chief spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said earlier in the week that the IDF did not believe the boys and their mother were in the hands of Hamas.
There has been no Israeli bombing of Gaza since a ceasefire began on Friday morning.
Kfir, Ariel and Shiri Bibas, and presumably their father Yarden, were all kidnapped from Nir Oz, an Israeli kibbutz that was devastated when it came under attack by Hamas militants on October 7.
The attackers murdered more than a quarter of the community and seized scores of others, as they fired at people’s homes, looted and destroyed what they could.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Eylon Keshet pleaded for the release of his cousin, Yarden, and the rest of the Bibas family.
“They shouldn’t be kept like this. It’s inhumane. It’s so scary,” said a visibly upset Keshet.
Israeli civilians rushing to buy guns as conflict intensifies
Holding up posters of Kfir and Ariel, he asked: “Are these the enemies of Hamas?”
“Are these the enemies of anyone?” he said.
“Should these children be used as bargaining chips? … There is no justification for using them like this. We just want them back, really.”