Israel was concerned about the fate of Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, after images of Yarden Bibas reuniting with his family surfaced. The Bibas family, including Yarden, his wife Shiri, and their two sons, were captured during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
While Yarden was freed, Israel is not satisfied as it wants to know what happened to Shiri and their children. The Israeli government has called upon Hamas to clear the stand taken by it especially after the militant group declared in November 2023 that Shiri and the children were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Israel has not confirmed this claim.
Two-year-old Kfir and five-year-old Ariel have since become the popular symbols for those still being held hostages. Hamas reports that 18 of 26 surviving remaining hostages are alive, although details of their condition are unknown. Only two children are still being held captive in Gaza among the Israelis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to continue efforts to bring the family members home. He expressed his thoughts for Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, along with all the hostages, and vowed to act to secure their release.
Meanwhile, hostages Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas, and Keith Siegel who were being held in Gaza have been freed and taken to Israel following a brokered deal. The terms included the freeing of women and children first but were breached when Hamas released female soldiers before women in civilian clothing. This leaves concern over Shiri and her children, as no one is so far part of the initial freed hostages.
Netanyahu’s office insisted that efforts will continue to bring the Bibas family and all the hostages home.