Israel mourns as funeral of Bibas family begins | Hamas to transfer bodies of 4 Israeli hostages on Thursday | IDF strikes Syrian military sites
12:47 - 'Sorry I couldn't protect you': Yarden Bibas eulogizes his wife Shiri and their two sons
After a private ceremony, Yarden Bibas took to the podium to eulogize his family in a statement broadcast on Israeli television.
"Do you remember our last decision in the bunker? I asked you whether we would fight or surrender, you told me 'fight' - so I fought. Sorry I couldn't protect you," Bibas said.
"Shiri, everyone knows and loves us, you don't understand how crazy all this madness is. Shiri, people tell me they'll always be by my side but they're not you. So please stay by my side, and don't go far!"
12:05 - Adviser to UAE president says Gaza reconstruction cannot happen without path to two-state solution
According to a Reuters report, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE's president, on Wednesday said that a reconstruction plan for Gaza cannot take place without a clear path to a two-state solution.
11:30 - WATCH: Live broadcast of Bibas family funeral
The Israeli Government Press Office posted a livefeed of the funeral for Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas.
The funeral service is being held only for family and close friends, however, the public was invited to support the family by lining the route to the funeral.
This morning, tens of thousands of Israelis poured out to line the streets holding Israeli flags, yellow hostage flags, orange balloons, and banners showing their support for the Bibas family along the roads leading to the funeral, and even gathering in cities around Israel to demonstrate their support for the devasted family.
11:21 - Hamas to transfer 4 hostage bodies via Egypt on Thursday
A source from within Hamas told the Qatari al-Arabi channel: "The Palestinian [terror] groups will transfer four bodies of slain Israelis tomorrow, under Egyptian supervision."
10:53 - 'The whole nation stands with the Bibas family'
"The whole nation stands with the Bibas family in silent grief as Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are laid to rest. May their memory always be a blessing," the official State of Israel's 𝕏 account stated.
The whole nation stands with the Bibas family in silent grief as Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are laid to rest.
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) February 26, 2025
May their memory always be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/DDFvnQE1Bo
10:34 - Judge in PM Netanyahu trial refuses minute of silence for Bibas family
During today's hearing of the ongoing trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli leader proposed a minute of silence for the Bibas family but was refused by the presiding judge, Israeli media reported.
"We're now accompanying Shiri Bibas and her children [during their funeral], I think it's appropriate to have a minute of silence to remember who we're fighting against," Netanyahu was quoted as saying.
Judge Friedman-Feldman reportedly responded, "Everyone remembers who we're fighting against and what we're fighting against, right now we'll continue as usual."
09:25 - Some Knesset hearings and committees delayed or postponed for Bibas funeral
Some Knesset committee meetings were postponed at the request of Members of Knesset wishing to participate in the funeral procession of the Bibas family.
In addition, the National Unity party decided to withdraw all of its bills from the plenary agenda and to raise them only next week "in solidarity with the national sense of mourning on the difficult day for the Bibas family."
08:58 - IDF probing leak of investigation into Oct 7 Nahal Oz battle
According to an Army Radio report this morning, the IDF has launched a probe into the leak of its investigation into the battle at Nahal Oz Base on Oct. 7, 2023. Over 50 soldiers were killed and 10 taken hostage in the intense fighting at the base, which became a symbol of the military's failure to respond quickly to the Hamas invasion.
Details from the investigation were aired on Channel 12 News yesterday before the results were presented to bereaved families. The IDF has pledged to publicly release the results of its investigation within the next couple of weeks.
08:40 - Trump shares AI-generated video of 'Trump Gaza' featuring beach resort
U.S. President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated video to his Truth Social platform, apparently showing his vision for the future of the Gaza Strip.
The video shows scenes of destruction turning into a rich coastal resort, with high-rise buildings, beachfront restaurants, and people celebrating. The video also shows a child holding a golden balloon shaped like Trump’s face, a massive golden statue of Trump, and a Trump Gaza resort hotel. In several scenes, people dance as dollar bills rain down.
Trump, himself, can be seen at several points, including dancing with a scantily-clad woman and lounging shirtless with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu beside a pool. At various points, tech mogul and DOGE Director Elon Musk is seen enjoying different culinary delights.
“Trump Gaza”.
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) February 26, 2025
Yes, President @realDonaldTrump did just post this Gaza AI video on his social media platforms. And yes it does include this image of him and PM Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/l40bBkV5P0
08:05 - Thousands begin to line streets for Bibas family funeral procession
Tens of thousands of people are waiting at intersections along the route of the funeral procession of the Bibas family in Rishon Letzion with Israeli flags and orange balloons, to pay their last respects.
While the Bibas family is holding a private funeral service, they invited the general public to join the funeral procession.
The Bibas family released a statement thanking those who came out to support them.
"We see and hear you, we are moved and strengthened by you," the family said in a statement on Wednesday, speaking about the crowds lining the streets.
"Yarden apologizes for not being able to come and hug each and every one of you. We hope for the day when we can once again be together in moments of joy and not sadness."
The whole nation stands with the Bibas family in silent grief as Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are laid to rest.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) February 26, 2025
May their memory always be a blessing. pic.twitter.com/0xqBoQHVbG
07:50 - Israel has not decided whethter to withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor
According to a report by public broadcaster Kan, the Israeli government has not decided whether it will withdraw its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor along the border between Gaza and Egypt.
As part of the current hostage-ceasefire deal, Israel pledged to withdraw its forces from the Philadelphi Route on the 42nd day of the agreement, which is this coming Saturday. However, an Israeli source told Kan News Wednesday morning that the government has not yet decided whether to do so. According to the source, Israel's withdrawal depends on whether the first phase of the ceasefire will be extended.
00:35 - Israel confirms agreement reached with Hamas on hostage remains release
The Israeli government confirmed that an agreement had been reached with Hamas regarding the delayed release of the Palestinian prisoners and the handover of Israeli hostage remains. An Israeli source told Israeli media that in the next 24 hours, Hamas will hand over the remains of four dead hostages to Egypt without any staged ceremony. Egypt will hand them over to the Red Cross, who will transfer them to Israel. Simultaneously, Israel will release the 600+ security prisoners whose release was delayed on Saturday.
00:30 - Palestinians report prisoner-hostage remains exchange to happen Thursday
According to Hamas-affiliated Quds News Network, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, whose release was delayed on Saturday, will happen concurrently with the release of the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday.
Quds News Network also claimed that Egypt will oversee the coordination of the simultaneous release.
00:02 - IDF strikes military targets in Syria after calling for demilitarization south of Damascus
Over the past few hours, the IDF struck military targets in southern Syria including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons.
The IDF spokesperson's office said, "The presence of military forces and assets in the southern part of Syria pose a threat to the citizens of Israel. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
