Israel Mourns Shiri Bibas and Her Sons Lost in Gaza

In Tel Aviv, Israel, highways were lined with tens of thousands of people holding flags, orange balloons, and signs reading “forgive us” as they watched the solemn procession bringing the bodies of a mother and her two young sons to their final resting place. The Bibas family’s tragic story has become a profound symbol of the grief experienced throughout Israel following the militant attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing conflict.

The haunting image of Shiri Bibas holding her two sons, 9-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel, as they were taken away by militants, is etched into the national consciousness. Israel has stated that forensic evidence shows the boys were killed by their captors in November 2023, while Hamas claims the family died alongside their guards during an Israeli airstrike. This tragic event heightened the collective mourning as their bodies were returned this month as part of a ceasefire agreement. However, pain resurfaced when a case of mistaken identity resulted in one of the bodies being misidentified. The following night, Shiri’s body was correctly identified and returned.

Yarden Bibas, who was abducted separately, was freed and reunited with his family in a different exchange last month. Meanwhile, his wife and sons were laid to rest in a private burial near Kibbutz Nir Oz, next to Shiri’s parents, all victims of the unexpected attack. The roads were lined by countless mourners who gathered to pay their respects as the convoy carrying the caskets made its way on a 100-kilometer journey to the cemetery. Hundreds of motorcycles adorned with Israeli flags and orange ribbons accompanied the procession. In Tel Aviv, throngs of people congregated to listen to the eulogies, many wearing orange.

Kfir was notably the youngest of about 30 children taken hostage. His red hair and innocent smile made him an emblem of the crisis, with world leaders alerted about his plight. Led by the extended Bibas family, protests have frequently featured the color orange as a symbol of support for the “ginger babies.” On Kfir’s first birthday, orange balloons were released, and the family tirelessly advocated for international support. Family pictures shared widely resonated with the public, introducing the brothers as familiar and cherished figures. Ariel’s love for Batman was revealed in happier photographs where his family dressed as the superhero. In a touching tribute, many attendees wore Batman costumes as the caskets passed by.

Yarden Bibas delivered a poignant eulogy, recalling a significant decision in their last moments together. He spoke facing his wife, “Shiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all. If only I had known what would happen, I wouldn’t have fought,” he lamented, recounting his thoughts of Ariel and his son’s infectious laughter. To his youngest, Kfir, he offered a heartfelt apology for not ensuring his safety, expressing deep longing for the joy his laughter brought.

Dana Silberman Sitton, Shiri’s sister, shared her struggles to prepare for laying her sister to rest, urging people to cherish Shiri’s vivacious spirit rather than the image of her harrowing capture. She sought forgiveness for the extended period it took to bring them back. Ofri Bibas Levy, Yarden’s sister and a vocal advocate in the campaign for hostages’ return, highlighted the unacceptable nature of their tragedy, insisting it must never be repeated. She emphasized the need for accountability, insisting that responsibility must precede forgiveness.

Recently, during the handover of bodies in Gaza, militants showcased coffins inscribed with the names of Shiri and her sons against a backdrop of uplifting music and politically charged imagery. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the delay in returning Shiri’s remains as a “cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The October 7 attack resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and saw 251 hostages taken, while the conflict has claimed over 48,000 lives in Gaza as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths.