Kidnapping of the Bibas family

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Kidnapping of the Bibas family
Part of the Gaza war
Shiri Bibas holding her two young children during the kidnapping. Photo is a still from a body cam of one of the kidnappers
LocationNir Oz, Israel
Date7 October 2023; 16 months ago (2023-10-07)
Attack type
Kidnapping
AccusedLords of the Desert,[1] Mujahideen Brigades, and Hamas.

During the 7 October 2023 attacks, part of the broader Gaza war, the Israeli-Argentinian/Peruvian[2][3][4] Bibas (Hebrew: בִּיבָּס) family was kidnapped by Palestinian militants from their home in kibbutz Nir Oz, and held hostage in the Gaza Strip. The family comprised 34-year-old Yarden (Hebrew: יַרְדֵּן), his 32-year-old wife Shiri (Hebrew: שִׁירִי; née Silberman) and their two sons Ariel (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל) and Kfir (Hebrew: כְּפִיר), aged 4 years and 9 months respectively.[5][6] Kfir was the youngest hostage taken from Israel on 7 October. Yarden was abducted separately from his wife and children.[7]

In late 2023, Hamas claimed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir had been killed during the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.[8] Israel did not confirm their deaths, but expressed grave concerns over their welfare.[9][10] As part of the Gaza war ceasefire and prisoners exchange, Yarden was released alive on 1 February 2025.[11] On 18 February 2025, Hamas announced that it would release the bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir,[12][13] and said it handed over their bodies on 20 February.[14] Israel confirmed the bodies of Ariel and Kfir had been handed over, but said the body marked as that of Shiri was of an unidentified person.[15]

Abduction

[edit]
Bibas family home after the kidnapping

Prior to the attack the family had considered moving to the Golan Heights, tired of living in constant fear and being bombarded by Gazan rockets.[7]

On the day of the attack, Yarden Bibas texted his sister to update her on the fighting at and around the Nir Oz Kibbutz.[16] At around 6:30 am, he sent her an update which included rocket fire, and then that the militants had entered the kibbutz with concern that his children did not know how to keep quiet. By about 9:45, he sent "They're in" shortly after having sent "I love you" to his family.[7] Yarden had reportedly first believed that the rocket fire was "just another bombing" and had hesitated to use the gun in the home due to the number of militants with automatic weapons.[17]

At some point during the attack Yarden Bibas left the family's safe room, reportedly to distract the militants and attempt to save his wife and children. Yarden was then captured separately from the rest of his family.[18]

Multiple pieces of media of the family were circulated online, such as a video of Shiri holding her redheaded children in her arms, with a look of terror on her face as she was surrounded by militants. Multiple pictures found later showed Yarden, on the day of the attack, bleeding from the head, and being herded away by gunmen.[7][19]

Shiri's father José Luis (Yossi) Silberman, and his wife, Margit Shnaider Silberman, were also presumed to be missing from the kibbutz. Margit Shnaider Silberman moved to Israel from Peru in the 1970s. José Luis (Yossi) Silberman was originally from Argentina, both Silbermans were in their 60s. The Silbermans were later found dead and officially identified as deceased on 21 October.[20][19][21]

Israel said the family was kidnapped by the Palestinian group called "Lords of the desert".[22] Israel expressed concern that Shiri and the children had been transferred to a different armed group within Gaza, the Mujahideen Brigades of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement.[23]

In captivity

[edit]

On 29 November 2023, Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said Shiri and her children had been killed in Israeli bombing of Gaza.[24] Israel said that Hamas' claims were not verified, and warned they could be part of their psychological warfare.[25][26][27] IDF chief spokesperson said, regarding the family's location, that the IDF did not believe the boys and their mother were in the hands of Hamas[25] but they had consistently refused to name any other group, saying only "another group".[27] After Yarden Bibas's release the group was identified as the Kataib Mujahadin.[28]

In September 2024, a freed hostage claimed to have seen Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon, both hostages from the Nir Or kibbutz in cages while she was in a tunnel under the Gaza Strip. The women stated that she was able to speak with both men during her time there, and the men were released from the cages hours at a time to speak with her.[29]

When Yarden Bibas was released, he had lost 15 kilograms (33 lb). He reportedly told Israeli authorities that he was starved, with some days not given any food. Yarden's captivity coincided with Israeli blockade of humanitarian supplies into Gaza and the Gaza Strip famine.[30][31] Most of the time he was held in isolation in an underground cell, rarely seeing sunlight. He was allowed to meet other hostages only during meals. He requested to be held with an old friend that he came across during his time in captivity, but his request was denied. He also reportedly said that he was dressed in a galabeya.[18]

Yarden Bidas reportedly asked his captors on numerous occasions about his family. In one instance his captors told Bibas that his family had evaded capture and were spotted in Tel Aviv. In another case, his captors demanded a female hostage tell him that his family died. After the female hostage refused, the captors demanded a male hostage tell him that his family died. Hamas filmed Yarden breaking down upon hearing the fate of his family, and criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[18][32]

Efforts to release

[edit]
Israelis taking the cause of the Bibas Family
A protestor in front of the private residence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog recreating the still image from the bodycam video.[a]
― August 2024
Israeli President Isaac Herzog displaying a picture of Kfir Bibas on his birthday during the World Economic Forum ― January 2024
A march commemorating Ariel Bibas' 5th birthday ― August 2024
Release of orange balloons (to symbolize the color of the children's hair) from Hostages Square
― December 2023

On 7 October 2023, the deputy chief of Hamas, Saleh al-Arouri said that Palestinians had abducted Israelis so they could force Israel to release thousands of Palestinians (including 200 women and children) in Israeli custody.[33][34] On October 9, Hamas offered to release all civilian hostages in exchange for Israeli army not entering Gaza, but the Israeli government rejected the offer.[35] On 17 October 2023, a Hamas official said it would release all civilian (but not military) hostages in exchange for Israel ending the bombing of the Gaza Strip.[36] On 19 October, Human Rights Watch criticized Hamas for conditioning the release of Israelis upon Israel's release of Palestinians, arguing "civilians, including children...should never be treated as bargaining chips."[37]

On 22 November 2023, Israel agreed to release 150 Palestinian women and children, in exchange for Hamas agreeing to release 50 Israeli women and children.[38] Shiri and her children were expected to be released, but were not released. On 29 November, Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said Shiri and her children had been killed in Israeli bombing of Gaza.[39] On 1 December, Israel considered it a violation of the framework that they were not released.[40] After the brothers were not freed during the temporary ceasefire, their relatives launched a campaign demanding their release.[19]

On 1 December, 2023, Hamas offered to release the bodies of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel.[41] This offer was also confirmed by Israeli officials and Arab diplomats.[42] Israel refused, demanding that living female hostages be returned before the dead bodies.[42] On the same day, Hamas also clarified that Shiri, Kfir and Ariel had been killed by Israeli airstrikes before the truce went into effect.[41] The IDF responded that "Hamas is wholly responsible for the security of all hostages".[41]

A cousin of the Bibas family raised a request to speak with US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to petition them to help in the release of the family. He also mentioned that they were working with the Argentinian government to help petition for the release of the family.[3] In early December 2023 per Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, all Israeli embassies and consulates either lit their buildings in orange or displayed images of the family. The display was supposed to coincide with the first lighting of Hanukkah candles.[43]

Around Kfir Bibas' first birthday in January 2024, family members celebrated his (18 January) birthday and raised awareness for the family still reportedly held as hostages. Hundreds of people gathered at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to celebrate Kfir and his family with a performance by Israeli children's music stars and wore orange to symbolize the two children's hair.[44] Kfir's picture was also seen next to Israeli President Isaac Herzog while he spoke at the World Economic Forum that same week.[45] On 19 February, the Israeli military released a video which purportedly showed members of the Bibas family in the Khan Younis area.[46]

In August 2024, during the Redhead Days Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands which is known for celebrating people with auburn-hair, members of the Bibas family urged participants to spotlight the Bibas children and to raise awareness about their continued time as hostages.[47]

Release and return of bodies

[edit]

In January 2025, during the 2025 Gaza war ceasefire and prisoner exchange, before it was announced that Yarden Bibas would be included in the exchange, a group supporting the family asked for the public to wear orange in honor of the family.[48] Israeli officials had asked that Hamas provide more information on the condition of Shiri Bibas and the two children on January 29.[49]

Release of Yarden Bibas

[edit]
Yarden Bibas on the helicopter after being released by Hamas from captivity in Gaza.[b] – February 2025

On 31 January, Hamas announced that they were going to release Yarden Bibas on February 1, as part of the fourth round of releases of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. The status of Yarden Bibas's family, Shiri, Ariel and Kfir was not clear at the time of his release and they were not included in earlier releases which were supposed to prioritize living women and children.[50] At the time of the ceasefire and prior release of other hostages, the Bibas children were the only Israeli children still held, while Shiri is the only Israeli woman still held.[51]

Return of the bodies of Ariel and Kfir

[edit]

On February 20, Hamas released four bodies: purportedly of Ariel, Kfir, Shiri, and a fourth hostage, Oded Lifshitz, who was also been kidnapped during the Nir Oz attack.[52][53][54] The four bodies were taken to Israel's forensic institute for identification of the deceased.[55] While Israel was able to forensically confirm the bodies of Ariel, Kfir, and Lifshitz, the fourth body did not belong to Shiri, nor any other Israeli hostage held by Hamas.[56] Hamas had announced in November 2023 that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir were killed as a result of Israeli bombings in November 2023. On 20 February 2025, Israel said that forensic evidence showed that the children were "brutally murdered" in November 2023.[8][56]

The handover was performed as a two-step process, with the first step being a handover of coffins from Hamas to the Red Cross, with the handover from the Red Cross to the IDF performed in a second step. In the first step, the four coffins were brought to a stage in Khan Younis wrapped in black with labels bearing the deceased names and pictures, and placed in front of a poster bearing the image of Netanyahu as a vampire with the four deceased superimposed. The poster blamed Netanyahu and Israel for their deaths, and denounced Israel with spent Israeli munitions displayed on the stage near the coffins. In the second step, a rabbi conducted a ceremony upon receipt of the coffins and they were transported into Israel draped in Israeli flags. Israeli citizens lined the roads near the Gaza border to watch the convoy and pay their respects, as well as gathering in Hostages Square.[57][58]

The coffins were provided to Israel locked, without keys.[59] Upon opening the coffins, investigators discovered Hamas propaganda, which Israel considered "a desecration of the sanctity of the dead". Israel therefore filed a complaint with Egypt, Qatar and the United States who helped negotiate the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.[60]

Response

[edit]

After Yarden was released, the Bibas family issued a statement that "a quarter of our heart has returned.....but the home remains incomplete".[61] His family also thanked the Israeli public for its support and concern, and that while he had lost a significant amount of weight he was in good spirits and physically stable.[62]

After the release of the bodies of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir multiple individuals spoke out. Israeli president Isaac Herzog issued a statement stating that the "hearts of an entire nation line in tatters" and spoke directly to the deceased stating that he bowed his head and asked for forgiveness in not protecting them or bringing them home safe.[57]

Argentine President Javier Milei declared a national day of mourning in Argentina following the return of the bodies, as the Bibas children held Argentine citizenship. Sabrina Ajmechet, President of the Argentinian Commission for Human Rights, wrote: "Two Argentinian babies assassinated because of Hamas terrorism. I hope that never again, after this, I have to hear that what happens in Israel and Gaza is not our concern, of all Argentines".[63]

Art inspired by the plight of the Bibas family

[edit]
Street art in Israel
Paintings by Uri Inks
Other visual arts

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The text on the cardboard reads "Where are Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas?"
  2. ^ Translation of message on whiteboard:
    I thank all the People of Israel for their support and help. I heard from my family that you fought for me, and want to say many thanks. I deeply appreciate it. It's not self-evident. Happy birthday Grandpa !
  3. ^ Translation of the text on the display:
    "Freedom, as I believe, is the main purpose of life" --Menachem Begin from a speech named "Freedom" (also the name of his political party) at a large public gathering on August 27, 1950
  4. ^ The text under the painting is the same quote by Menachem Begin as in the photo to the left.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "דובר צה"ל: "משפחת ביבס נחטפה על ידי ארגון בשם 'אדוני השממה'. חמאס אחראי לגורלם"" [IDF spokesman: "The Biebs family was kidnapped by an organization called 'Lords of the Desert.' Hamas is responsible for their fate" 20.02.24]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 19 February 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Video shows the kidnapping of Shiri Silberman-Bibas and her children by Hamas gunmen". NBC News.
  3. ^ a b Friedson, Felice (7 December 2023). "Bibas family cousin pleads to meet with world leaders". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Released Oct. 7 Footage Shows the Abduction of the Bibas Family by Hamas". www.idf.il. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  5. ^ Davis, Barney (15 October 2023). "Family share heartbreaking footage of nine-month-old baby and four-year-old boy who were abducted by Hamas". The Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  6. ^ Sinmaz, Emine; McKernan, Bethan (22 November 2023). "Families of hostages in Gaza wait to see if relatives among those freed". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Taken captive: Yarden and Shiri Bibas, and their redheaded babies". The Times of Israel. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b Kourdi, Eyad; Diamond, Jeremy; Michaelis, Tamar (29 November 2023). "Israel assessing Hamas claim youngest hostage and family members are dead". CNN.
  9. ^ "4 female soldiers freed by Hamas, paraded on Gaza stage, returned to Israel". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Bibas family: 'World came crashing down' when Shiri, kids weren't slated for release". www.timesofisrael.com. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  11. ^ "N12 - החטופים חוזרים לארץ: תיעוד רגעי האיחוד עם המשפחות". N12. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  12. ^ Sirgany, Kareem Khadder and Mick Krever and Sarah (18 February 2025). "Hamas says it will release bodies of four hostages, including Bibas children, on Thursday and six living hostages on Saturday". CNN. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  13. ^ "Bibas and Lifshitz families cling to hope ahead of final confirmation of hostages' fate". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  14. ^ "Hamas releases the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including mother and young sons". NPR. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  15. ^ "Body returned from Gaza is not Bibas mother, Israeli military says". BBC. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  16. ^ Campoamor, Danielle (20 October 2023). "'Those Pictures Do Not Leave My Mind'". The Cut. New York Magazine. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Release of two more hostages gives some hope to families of others abducted in the attack on Israel". AP News. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Steinberg, Jessica (4 February 2025). "Family of freed hostage Yarden Bibas: He asks about wife and sons, we have no answers". The Times of Israel.
  19. ^ a b c Sinmaz, Emine (29 November 2023). "Hamas says 10-month-old hostage Kfir Bibas was killed in Israeli bombing". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Margit & Yosi Silberman: Killed, 9-month-old grandson captured". The Times of Israel. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023.
  21. ^ "Hamas set to free Israeli father in latest Gaza hostage release". The Independent. 31 January 2025.
  22. ^ Shaulov, Roni Green (19 February 2025). "The heart of an entire country is breaking: Bodies of Kfir, Ariel and Shiri Bibas and Oded Lifshitz are coming home". Ynetnews. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  23. ^ "IDF: Hamas abducted Bibas family, including baby, handed them to another terror group". Times of Israel. 1 January 2024.
  24. ^ Minsberg, Talya (29 November 2023). "Fears Grow Over Fate of Bibas Family in Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  25. ^ a b Kourdi, Eyad; Diamond, Jeremy; Michaelis, Tamar (29 November 2023). "Israel assessing Hamas claim youngest hostage and family members are dead". CNN. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  26. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (29 November 2023). "IDF investigating 'cruel' Hamas claim that Bibas children, mother killed in Gaza". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023.
  27. ^ a b "The Bibas family remains captive in Gaza. A nation hopes against hope for their return". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
  28. ^ "Yarden Bibas released from Hamas captivity as wife, children remain in Gaza". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  29. ^ Prinsley, Jane (12 September 2024). "I saw baby Bibas's father behind bars in a cage, says released hostage". www.thejc.com. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Netanyahu's crocodile tears over captives are 'beyond absurd'". Al-Jazeera.
  31. ^ Hillis, Eman. "How Israel's Actions Worsened Its Own Prisoners' Conditions in Gaza". Misbar. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  32. ^ "Ex-hostage watched Hamas captors tell Yarden Bibas of family's 'fate' while filming". The Times of Israel. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners". Al Jazeera. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  34. ^ "Why Hamas took so many people hostage — and how that complicates Israel's response".
  35. ^ Allon, Gideon. "'No doubt' Netanyahu preventing hostage deal, charges ex-spokesman of Families Forum". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  36. ^ "Hamas expresses willingness to release some captive women and children". NBC News. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  37. ^ "Hamas, Islamic Jihad: Holding Hostages is a War Crime | Human Rights Watch". 19 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  38. ^ "Israel, Hamas agree to temporary ceasefire deal where hostages, prisoners will be exchanged".
  39. ^ Minsberg, Talya (29 November 2023). "Fears Grow Over Fate of Bibas Family in Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  40. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (2 December 2023). "IDF spokesperson: Hamas was supposed to release Bibas family in truce deal it violated". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023.
  41. ^ a b c "Hamas says offered to hand over remains of hostage baby, family". France 24. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  42. ^ a b Peled, Anat. "The Redheaded Bibas Children, the Youngest Hostages in Gaza, Aren't Coming Home Alive". WSJ. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  43. ^ "Israeli missions worldwide illuminate in orange for Bibas family". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  44. ^ Lidman, Melanie (18 January 2024). "As the youngest Israeli hostage turns 1, his family pleads for a deal to release more from Gaza". AP News. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  45. ^ Kottasová, Ivana; Krever, Mick (18 January 2024). "Kfir Bibas: Family marks first birthday of the youngest hostage in Gaza". CNN. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Israeli Military Releases Videos It Says Shows Bibas Family Members in Captivity on Oct. 7". New York Times. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  47. ^ Weissman, Miri (27 August 2024). "Bibas family implore Netherlands ginger festival to 'remember your redheaded brothers'". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  48. ^ Steinberg, Jessica (28 January 2025). "Initiative urges public to dress in orange tomorrow to honor Bibas family hostages". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  49. ^ Stein, Amichai (29 January 2025). "Israel demands Hamas provide info on Bibas family's wellbeing". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  50. ^ Beaumont, Peter; Graham-Harrison, Emma; Kierszenbaum, Quique (31 January 2025). "Hamas to release Israeli father amid 'grave concerns' for wife and children". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  51. ^ "Ahead of Yarden Bibas's release, relatives warn of 'very complex days' ahead". www.timesofisrael.com. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  52. ^ Lazar Berman (21 February 2025). "IDF: Remains of Kfir and Ariel Bibas ID'd, 3rd body sent by Hamas isn't their mom Shiri". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  53. ^ Amir Bohbut and Yanir Yagna (21 February 2025). "צה"ל: כפיר ואריאל ביבס זוהו, הגופה הנוספת - לא של שירי ביבס" [IDF: Kfir and Ariel Bibas were identified, the other body is not of Shiri Bibas]. Walla.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  54. ^ Szekeres, Mick Krever, Ivana Kottasová, Lucas Lilieholm, Edward (20 February 2025). "Hamas hands over bodies of four Israeli hostages, said to include Bibas children and their mother". CNN. Retrieved 20 February 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  55. ^ Collins, Michael (20 February 2025). "Bodies of Bibas boys returned to Israel in tragic end for youngest Oct. 7 hostages". USA TODAY. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  56. ^ a b "IDF: Remains of Kfir and Ariel Bibas identified, but 3rd body sent by Hamas is not their mother Shiri". The Times of Israel. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  57. ^ a b McKernan, Bethan (20 February 2025). "'One of the hardest days' in Israel as Hamas hands over hostages' bodies". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  58. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (20 February 2025). "Bodies believed to be of 4 slain hostages brought to Israel, 503 days after they were taken alive". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  59. ^ "Israel 'enraged by Hamas monsters' after coffin parade, says Netanyahu". The Daily Telegraph. 20 February 2025.
  60. ^ "Hamas put propaganda material in hostages' coffins, Israel fumes to mediators — report". The Times of Israel. 20 February 2025.
  61. ^ Moench, Mallory; Cuddy, Alice (2 February 2025). "'I don't know how he survived', says freed Israeli hostage's niece". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  62. ^ "Yarden Bibas's family says he 'lost significant weight' in captivity but is in stable condition". www.timesofisrael.com. 2 February 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
  63. ^ "Argentina's Milei to decree a national day of mourning for the Bibas brothers". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.

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