For over a year, many Israelis and individuals worldwide have been concerned about the fate of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, who were captured by gunmen during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, and taken to Gaza.
On Tuesday, hopes for the safe return of Ms. Bibas and her children diminished when Hamas announced it would return at least some of their bodies this week. Israeli officials cautioned against spreading “rumors” regarding the hostages, without elaborating on Hamas's statement.
The kidnapping of Ms. Bibas, her husband Yarden, and their children — Ariel, who was 4, and Kfir, who was not yet 9 months old — has become a symbol of the brutality of the Hamas-led attack that initiated a 15-month war in Gaza. Their capture has galvanized both supporters of negotiations for a cease-fire and those advocating for continued military action against Hamas.
The announcement from Hamas regarding the bodies is part of a series of negotiated exchanges linked to a cease-fire agreement, following the release of 19 living Israeli hostages in recent weeks. While the earlier releases had uplifted spirits in Israel, the news of the Bibas children's deaths has left many devastated.
Although Israel has not confirmed the deaths of the Bibas family members, the Israeli military expressed “grave concern” about their fate last month. Israel is anticipated to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the bodies.
Mr. Bibas was abducted separately and was seen in video footage being driven away with a head wound. Ms. Bibas’s elderly parents were also killed during the Hamas-led attack.
The abduction of the Bibas family has deeply impacted the Israeli national consciousness. Campaigns for their release have included orange balloons symbolizing the boys and references to Batman, a character favored by Ariel.
A video from the attack showed Ms. Bibas desperately holding her sons while a militant stood nearby, appearing terrified.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Bibas family expressed that Hamas’s announcement had caused them “turmoil” but emphasized they were still waiting for further information. “Until we receive definitive confirmation, our journey is not over,” they stated.
Approximately 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led attack, with over 250 individuals abducted, according to Israeli sources. The Bibas family’s hometown, Nir Oz, was one of the hardest-hit areas, with a quarter of its 400 residents either killed or taken hostage. Kfir was the youngest victim of the abduction.
The attack led Israel to declare war on Hamas and initiate a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties among Palestinian civilians and combatants, and extensive destruction in the region.
During the attack, Mr. Bibas communicated with family members from a fortified safe room, sending messages of love and a final warning: “They’re coming in.”
In November 2023, Hamas’s armed wing claimed that Ms. Bibas and her children had died in an Israeli airstrike. Concerns about their fate intensified when they were not included among the other released hostages during a cease-fire that month.
Hamas later released a propaganda video showing Mr. Bibas in captivity, visibly distressed over the claim that his family had been killed.
A year ago, the Israeli military released footage purportedly showing Ms. Bibas and her children being abducted in Gaza. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military's chief spokesman, indicated that the captives were taken to a location in eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Earlier this month, Mr. Bibas was released as part of a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, which mandates the release of at least 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. The first phase of this agreement is set to expire in early March unless extended.
The Israeli government reported that Hamas had provided a list indicating that 25 of the 33 hostages were alive, while eight had been confirmed dead.
“Sadly, my family hasn’t returned to me yet,” Mr. Bibas stated after his release. “They are still there. My light is still there, and as long as they’re there, everything here is dark.”
Relatives have described Ariel as a lively boy who enjoyed playing with toy tractors, while Kfir was characterized as a calm baby just beginning to eat solid food. “We are still clinging to hope,” said a family member, expressing a desire for joyful news rather than sorrowful outcomes.