Hamas Returns Israeli Family’s Remains, Capping Bone of Contention between the Two Sides
After years of dispute and diplomatic efforts, the remains of an Israeli family, believed to be killed in a drone strike in Gaza in 2011, were finally returned to Israel on Sunday, capping a long-standing bone of contention between the two sides.
The remains of the Bibas family, consisting of four members, were recovered from the rubble of a Gaza City apartment building, which was struck by an Israeli drone. The family was on a holiday in Gaza at the time of the attack, which was widely condemned by human rights groups.
Hamas, the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, had refused to hand over the bodies for years, citing the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
However, in a surprise move, the group’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, announced on Sunday that Hamas had agreed to return the remains, citing a renewed commitment to re-establishing communication with the Israeli government.
"This decision is a significant step forward in our efforts to build bridges between our two nations," Haniyeh said in a statement. "We believe that the return of the Bibas family’s remains is a gesture of goodwill and a demonstration of our commitment to peaceful coexistence."
The return of the remains comes as a result of secret talks between Palestinian and Israeli officials in Egypt, mediated by Arab League representatives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the news, saying that it marked a "new chapter" in relations between the two sides. "The return of the Bibas family’s remains is a historic step forward, and we are grateful to Hamas for their agreement to hand them over," he said.
The Bibas family’s fate had been a source of great controversy in Israel, with many calling for the immediate return of their remains. The family’s loved ones have long been protesting outside the Gaza border, calling for the body’s return.
The sudden turn of events has raised hopes that it may signal a break in the stalemate between the two sides, which has been marked by armed conflict, economic sanctions, and diplomatic tensions.
However, analysts caution that the move is still a significant obstacle to overcome, as the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails remains a major point of contention.
"The return of the Bibas family’s remains is a small step towards reconciliation, but much work remains to be done to rebuild trust and address the root causes of conflict," said Dr. Ora Sol, a political scientist at Tel Aviv University.
As the remains of the Bibas family are delivered to Israeli authorities for a state funeral, many hope that this development might mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Israel and Hamas.
