copper wire? Geezz… I’m sure you commented how this was ‘unsafe’ and against manufactures instructions.
It looks like the bonding screw is missing, that empty hole in the middle of the second neutral bar (verify with diagram on inside of panel), might want to point out how dangerous this can be.
The holes were in handles so that two 120v breakers could be used as a 240v breaker. A rod would be inserted trhough the two handles joining them. If one side tripped, both sides tripped.
It is very common to see handles tied with 12ga copper or even nails. It was never legal but a lot of inspectors will let it go. Bear in mind, handle tied breakers, even using the listed handle tie device, that is legal, are not “common trip” breakers. It is possible for one side to trip and not bring the other side down. Some places in the code require common trip, others are OK with handle ties, preferably “legal” ones.
If this is the service equipment (as you stated), the grounds and neutrals must be bonded (not separated), and they can share a common bus/terminal bar. That bus must be bonded to the enclosure.