The three remaining captives of the Bibas family – mother Shiri, infant son Kfir, and his older brother Ariel – who became symbols since their abduction on October 7, have been named among the returning fallen hostages, all but dashing the hopes many all over the world had held since the horrific footage of their abduction spread.
Final forensics analysis will be carried out once Hamas hands them over as part of the latest exchange in Phase I of the hostage deal, in which four fallen hostages are returned. The family said after the autopsies are complete and confirmation is given as to their identity, the mourning period could begin, urging Israelis to wait. Their father, Yarden was recently released from captivity after 484 days in the most recent exchange.
The 34-year-old father Yarden was kidnapped separately while wounded. Each day, many tried to gather information about whether the family from Nir Oz was on the list, and their photos appeared in newspapers, on television, and across social media with their most identifying feature – their red hair.
The video of Shiri trying to protect her two children with her hands, terror on her face as she was surrounded by many brutal terrorists, became a symbol of the kidnapping and haunted many mothers and everyone else.
Last year, the murderous terror organization Hamas claimed the three family members were dead and blamed the IDF. Israel could not remain indifferent, and shortly after, the IDF spokesperson announced they were examining the credibility of Hamas claims that the family members were killed during IDF bombings in the Gaza Strip during Operation Iron Swords. Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, were also murdered on that tragic day.
