An Israeli group campaigning for the release of hostages held in Gaza said it was “shaken” by the army’s allegation that Palestinian fighters had killed the two Bibas boys with their “bare hands”, AFP reports.

“We are shaken to the core by the horrifying findings confirming the cruel and brutal murder of Ariel and Kfir Bibas — just innocent infants — at the hands of Hamas,” the group said in a statement, describing their deaths as “barbaric”.