The remains of a woman killed while in captivity by Hamas was supposedly handed over to Israel on Friday, a day after her body was supposed to be brought back.

Israel says it has identified two of the dead bodies returned by Hamas on Thursday as Ariel and Kfir Bibas – but tests show another body that was expected to be that of their mother Shiri is not hers – and does not match any other Israeli hostage.

The bodies presumed to be of the youngest Israelis held hostage by the militant Hamas group have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending.