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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 23, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Outgoing IDF chief asks ‘forgiveness’ from Bibas and Lifshitz families after bodies returned
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi speaks at a graduation ceremony for cadets in the IDF Ground Forces officers' course, February 23, 2025. (Screen capture via YouTube, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi apologizes to the families of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, for failing to return their loved ones from captivity alive, after Hamas returned their bodies last week.
All four were murdered in captivity, according to Israel.
“We bow our heads before the Bibas and Lifshitz families, and ask for forgiveness for not being able to bring their loved ones back while they were alive,” Halevi says at an IDF cadets graduation ceremony.
“They are another 63 hostages, and we will do everything we can to bring everyone back,” he adds.
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