Key points
- Hamas released four bodies said to be of Israeli hostages yesterday, but a row has broken out over one of them
- Israel has claimed the body of Shiri Bibas has not been returned, with an 'anonymous body' handed over in her place
- Hamas has said it will investigate the claim with 'complete seriousness'
- Israel accuses Hamas of killing child hostages with their 'bare hands'
- Names of six living hostages to be released on Saturday revealed
- More than 600 Palestinians to be 'freed by Israel'
- Watch: Hamas hands over bodies of Israeli hostages
- Explained: Stages of the ceasefire
We're pausing our coverage
Thank you for following our coverage, we're pausing our updates on this live page. Before we go, here's a summary of the day's main events...
Israel has accused Hamas of failing to hand over the body of hostage Shiri Bibas yesterday as promised.
It comes after Hamas returned the remains of four people on Thursday as part of a ceasefire agreement.
Israel said tests had shown one of the bodies belonged to a Palestinian woman – and not Ms Bibas as stated.
It also claimed the dead Israeli hostages had been murdered while in captivity, including two children killed with "bare hands".
Hamas had previously said all of them were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
It responded to Israel's claims today by promising a full investigation into who the remains belonged to, but suggested Ms Bibas's body may have been mixed up with dead Palestinians who were killed alongside her in the alleged Israeli bombing.
Neither side has provided evidence to support their claims about how the hostages died.
Despite the row, both Israel and Hamas said they were committed to honouring the current ceasefire agreement.
As part of the deal, Hamas earlier released the names of six living hostages it plans to free tomorrow.
A total of 602 Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be released on Saturday in exchange.
Meanwhile, aid agency the International Rescue Committee issued a warning over escalating violence in the West Bank and said 224 children had been killed in the territory since January 2023.
A 13-year-old girl shot by Israeli forces become the latest young person to die in the territory today, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Two Israeli suspects have also reportedly been arrested over the bombings of several empty buses in Israel on Thursday night.
Palestinian officials claim 13-year-old girl shot dead by Israeli forces
The Palestinian Health Ministry has said a 13-year-old girl has been shot dead by Israeli forces in the West Bank.
Officials said it happened in the Jenin refugee camp in the north of the territory.
It comes amid an ongoing Israeli military operation in West Bank, launched a month ago, which its forces say has been targeting militants.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes, while many buildings have been demolished.
We reported earlier on the concerns from the International Rescue Committee (see 1.42pm post) about escalating violence in the area since the Gaza ceasefire was agreed.
The aid agency earlier estimated that 224 Palestinian children had been killed in the West Bank since January 2023.
Regional leaders hold talks on $20bn Gaza reconstruction proposal
Arab and Gulf leaders have been holding talks in Saudi Arabia today - reportedly over how to help rebuild homes and infrastructure in war-shattered Gaza.
While officials did not provide details, a source told Reuters news agency that the summit focused on an Egyptian proposal for wealthy states to provide $20bn (£16bn) in funding over three years.
It comes as neighbouring nations rush to formulate an alternative to Donald Trump's suggestion that the US should step in and for people in Gaza to "resettle permanently".
The meeting, called by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed binSalman, was attended by the leaders of nations including Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Palestinians due for release 'include 50 people with life sentences'
The Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office has provided a breakdown of the 602 prisoners expected to be released by Israel tomorrow.
They include:
50 prisoners with life sentences
60 with lengthy sentences
47 Palestinians who were re-arrested after being released as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange – also known as the Wafa al-Ahrar agreement – in 2011
445 prisoners from the Gaza Strip who were arrested following the 7 Oct attacks in 2023
It comes after Hamas earlier released the names of six Israeli hostages it plans to free as part of the deal on Saturday.
'Two Israelis arrested' on suspicion of 'transporting terrorists' to sites of bus bombings
Two Jewish-Israeli suspects have been arrested over the bombings of several empty buses in Israel, according to local media.
The pair are reportedly accused of involvement in "transporting the terrorists" that planted the devices.
The duo are also charged with attempted murder.
It comes after two buses exploded in the Bat Yam area of central Israel on Thursday evening, while a third bomb went off on a vehicle in the nearby town of Holon.
Officers said they also found at least one other device, which did not explode, in the town.
The buses were all parked and no one was on board the vehicles at the time, it is believed.
There were no reports of any injuries. Authorities are reportedly searching for further suspects.
The blasts prompted Israeli defence minister Israel Katz to order the Israel Defence Forces to intensify its operations in the West Bank.
Israel claims child hostages killed with 'bare hands'
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has claimed that the bodies of two children handed over by Hamas yesterday were killed by the group's "bare hands".
Spokesperson Daniel Hagari alleged that Ariel Bibas, four, and sibling Kfir, 10 months old, were murdered by the group while in captivity. He did not provide evidence for the claim.
It comes after Hamas returned four bodies purported to be Israeli hostages yesterday as part of a ceasefire agreement, in which hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will also be freed.
The group said the four included those of the two children and their mother Shiri Bibas, as well as journalist and peace activist Oded Lifshitz, 83.
Hamas said all four were killed alongside Palestinians during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
Israel said tests had confirmed the bodies were of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, as well as Mr Lifshitz.
However, it said the remains of the fourth person were not of Shiri Bibas and said they belonged to a Palestinian woman instead.
Hamas has promised to carry out a full investigation but said Ms Bibas's remains may have been mixed up with others killed in the alleged Israeli bombing.
However, Hagari disputed the claims in a statement earlier today.
He said: "Following a forensic examination, we can confirm that baby Kfir Bibas, just ten months old, and his older brother Ariel, aged four, were both brutally murdered by terrorists while being while being held hostage in Gaza no later than November 2023.
"These two innocent children were taken hostage alive together, with their mother Shiri, from their home on October 7th, 2023.
"Contrary to Hamas's lies, Ariel and Kfir were not killed in an airstrike. Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by terrorists in cold blood. The terrorists did not shoot the two young boys.
"They killed them with their bare hands. Afterwards, they committed horrific acts to cover up these atrocities.
"This assessment is based on both forensic findings from the identification process and intelligence that supports the findings."
'We are not seeking revenge right now - we are asking for Shiri'
The family of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas have said they are not "seeking revenge" and just want Hamas to return her body.
Bibas, along with her two children, were listed as three of the hostages released by the militant group as part of the ceasefire deal yesterday.
However, the Israeli military said the remains were not those of Bibas, and instead belonged to a Palestinian woman.
It also accused Hamas of murdering the three family members while they were in captivity.
In a statement released on behalf of the Bibas family, they said Israel had a responsibility and an obligation to bring their loved ones home alive.
"There is no forgiveness for abandoning them on October 7th, and no forgiveness for abandoning them in captivity," they said.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we did not receive an apology from you in this painful moment."
Hamas has promised to carry out a full investigation but said Bibas's remains may have been mixed up with the bodies of other people killed during an Israeli airstrike.
The children's father, Yarden Bibas, was released on 1 February as part of the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, in which hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are also due to be freed.
Ofri Bibas Levy, the sister of Yarden, and aunt of Ariel and Kfir, has now issued a renewal appeal for Shiri's return.
You can read her full statement below:
"Yesterday we received the devastating news of Ariel and Kfir's murder in captivity. We waited for certainty, but it brings no comfort – only profound grief.
My sweet nephews were taken alive from their home and murdered by a cruel terrorist organization while in captivity. They didn't deserve such a fate.
Our painful journey, which has already lasted 16 months, is not over. October 7th continues. We are still waiting for Shiri and fear for her fate.
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were taken alive by a murderous terrorist organisation, and it was Israel's responsibility and obligation to bring them back alive. There is no forgiveness for abandoning them on October 7th, and no forgiveness for abandoning them in captivity.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we did not receive an apology from you in this painful moment. For Ariel and Kfir's sake, and for Yarden's sake, we are not seeking revenge right now. We are asking for Shiri.
Their cruelty only emphasizes the urgent need to bring Shiri back to us, save the lives of the living hostages, and return all the fallen for burial.
President Trump, I am asking you, please help Israel and our family complete this important mission.
We thank everyone for their support and ask that the family's privacy be respected.
Luli and Firfir, I'm sorry I cannot yet cry for you. We are waiting for Mommy Shiri."
Northern Ireland leader to boycott White House event over Gaza
Northern Ireland's first minister Michelle O'Neill has said she will boycott the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations at the White House in protest at Donald Trump's stance on Gaza.
The Sinn Fein leader, who made the announcement at a news conference in Dublin, said the decision had "not been taken lightly".
It comes after Trump suggested earlier this month that Palestinians in Gaza could "resettle... permanently" away from the land.
O'Neill said: "We are all heartbroken whenever we witness the suffering of the Palestinian people, and the recent comments by the US president around the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza is just simply something that I cannot ignore."
'More than 220 children killed' in West Bank
The West Bank has experienced a "surge in violence" since the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, a major aid agency has said.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) estimates 224 Palestinian children have now been killed in the territory since January 2023.
The warning comes following the launch a month ago of a large-scale Israeli military operation in the West Bank, which its forces say has been targeting militants.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes inrefugee camps, while homes and other buildings have been demolished.
The aid agency said the violence had caused major disruption to its operations, including by forcing the suspension of its education activities in Jenin City.
Zoe Daniels, the IRC's country director in the occupied Palestinian territory, said: “While there’s a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, children in the West Bank are facing increasing levels of violence, displacement, and deep trauma.
"The very places meant to protect and support them – schools, safe spaces, essential services – are disappearing before their eyes.
“With violence escalating and humanitarian access under threat, we are deeply concerned that more children will be left without the education and support they desperately need.
"Schools must be protected. Education is a universal right and must continue, even in conflict."
She added: “Civilians, schools, and critical infrastructure must never be targets.
"The international community must step up, hold those responsible accountable, and take urgent action to prevent more harm.”
The IRC said the number of young people killed in the West Bank since January 2023 accounted for half of all child fatalities in the territory since UN records began in 2005.
Best outcome would be for Hamas to find Shiri Bibas's remains – and fast
By Diana Magnay, international correspondent
There is no doubt further feverish behind-the-scenes mediation to try and ensure the ceasefire remains on track and Saturday’s exchange goes ahead.
Hamas says as much, that it has "received the occupation’s allegations and claims from the mediators" and will examine them "with complete seriousness".
Israel is accusing Hamas of the utmost cynicism, by returning a body Israel claims Hamas knew was not that of Shiri Bibas.
There is no reason in any of these past sixteen months of horror to give Hamas the benefit of the doubt.
Nor is it however against the realms of possibility that Hamas never meant to return the wrong body, and that it was indeed a mix-up as they claim.
They knew that Israel would be conducting forensic tests. It is not in their interests to derail the ceasefire.
They don’t want war to resume in Gaza and they want their prisoners back.
Israel’s Defence Forces say that a combination of prior intelligence and forensic evidence gathered from the remains of the deceased proves that the Bibas children and Oded Lifshitz were murdered by their captors in November 2023.
Hamas say it was an Israeli air strike which killed them.
The IDF says they are lying and that they should not have to engage in "our word against their word" with a terrorist organisation. They add that they are respecting the wishes of the family by not expanding on their findings.
The best possible outcome in a terrible situation is that Hamas finds the remains of Shiri Bibas and fast.
That may be harder if this was – as Hamas claims and Israel denies – an airstrike in which multiple people were killed.
Hostages released already have spoken of the terror they felt as Israel’s bombs exploded around the neighbourhoods in which they were being held.
Unfortunately, the mediators have only the words of the respective parties to go on, and their success depends on navigating a path forward through this total absence of trust.
As ever, this fragile ceasefire stumbles from one hurdle more painful than the last – with the families of the remaining hostages, with the civilians of Gaza, hoping and praying it holds.
