Thousands of mourners in Israel gathered on the streets to pay their final respects to Shiri Bibas, a 32-year-old mother, and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, during their funeral procession. The family was kidnapped from the Niz Or kibbutz during Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023. Shiri, Ariel, aged four, and nine-month-old Kfir were taken captive, leaving their community in shock and grief. The Bibas family’s tragic story has become a symbol of the human cost of the conflict, resonating deeply with Israelis across the country.
The funeral procession was a poignant display of collective mourning, as people lined the streets holding Israeli flags and orange balloons. Orange has become a significant symbol for the Bibas family, representing their fight for justice and the return of their loved ones. The color was chosen to honor the red-haired children, who were affectionately referred to as the “ginger babies.” The extended Bibas family has been actively involved in protests, using the color orange to rally support and keep the memory of Shiri and her children alive. The sight of orange balloons and flags has become a powerful visual representation of the nation’s solidarity with the grieving family.
The bodies of Shiri and her children were released by Hamas last week as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, the process was marred by controversy when Hamas initially handed over the wrong body for Ms. Bibas, sparking widespread outrage. The correct remains were eventually released, bringing some closure to the family. The bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are set to be laid to rest in a private ceremony near the Niz Or kibbutz, where they lived. They will be buried alongside Shiri’s parents, who were also killed during the same attack. Yarden Bibas, the father of the children and Shiri’s husband, was taken hostage separately but was freed on February 1, 2024. His release has brought some relief to the family, but the loss of his wife and children remains a devastating blow.
The circumstances of Shiri and her children’s deaths have become a point of contention between Israel and Hamas. While Hamas claims that the three were killed in an Israeli airstrike, Israel has denied this, asserting that they were killed by their captors. This disagreement has further complicated the already tense situation, as both sides accuse each other of responsibility for the tragedy. The incident has also highlighted the brutal realities of captivity and theexperimental suffering endured by hostages and their families during conflicts.
Among the other victims whose bodies were repatriated was Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old journalist and peace activist who was abducted by Hamas during the same attack. His body, along with those of the Bibas family, was returned as part of the ceasefire agreement. The exchange involved the swap of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, a contentious arrangement that has drawn criticism from both sides. The bodies were transferred in black coffins, and the process was carried out in a highly publicized manner, with dozens of armed Hamas militants involved. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the display as “despicable,” while UN human rights chief Volker Turk described it as “cruel” and “inhumane.” The spectacle has added to the emotional toll on the families of the victims and has further strained the already fragile relationship between Israel and Hamas.
The story of Kfir, the youngest of the abducted children, has particularly captured the hearts of Israelis. The nine-month-old infant, with his red hair and toothless smile, became a symbol of the innocent lives caught in the crossfire of the conflict. His ordeal was raised by Israeli leaders on international platforms, highlighting the human cost of the violence and the need for a peaceful resolution. As the nation mourns the loss of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, their memory continues to inspire hope and solidarity. The Bibas family’s tragedy serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on ordinary lives and the enduring need for peace and reconciliation.
