Jerusalem - In a poignant display of public grief, thousands of Israelis gathered to pay their last respects to hostage mother Shiri Bibas and her two sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were killed in captivity in Gaza. The funeral procession, lined with orange balloons and Israeli flags, made its way through southern Israel.
Israeli TV channels broadcasted the event live, capturing the private burial and public eulogies delivered by relatives. Large screens in Tel Aviv's Hostages' Square displayed the scenes to gathered crowds. "This trio settled in my heart, and I believe in all of our hearts," said Neta, a mourner who traveled from the north.
The youngest victim, Kfir, was only nine months old, making him the youngest of 251 hostages taken during the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October 2023. His brother, Ariel, was four years old. Images of the two boys became enduring symbols of the struggle to return the hostages.
There was deep anguish in Israel when Yarden Bibas, Shiri's husband, was released by Hamas without his immediate family. Yarden paid tribute to Shiri as "the most amazing wife and mother," sharing personal memories of their children and their surprise at having two red-headed boys.
The Israeli president's residence was illuminated in orange, the color representing the Bibas family. At the procession's start, the family thanked Israelis for their support and expressed longing for joyful gatherings in the future. Shontal, a mourner wrapped in an orange flag, expressed her sympathy and condolences to the bereaved family.
A haunting video of Shiri Bibas showed her clutching her children during the Hamas assault. In November 2023, Hamas claimed an Israeli airstrike killed Shiri and her sons, but this was not verified by the Israeli military. The Bibas family held onto hope until the confirmation of the boys' deaths by DNA tests.
The remains of Shiri Bibas were not found in the coffin handed over by Hamas, leading to confusion and accusations of truce violations by Israel. The Israeli military postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners, escalating tensions with Hamas.
The uncertainty surrounding the return of remaining hostages from Gaza heightened anxiety among their relatives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to avenge the Bibas family's deaths, further worrying their loved ones.
Ofri Bibas Levy, the sister of Yarden Bibas, criticized the Israeli media and Netanyahu for discussing the circumstances of the murders against the family's wishes. She called for accountability from Israeli officials for their failure to protect Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir.
Shiri Bibas and her children were buried in a single casket next to her parents, who were also victims of the 7 October attacks. The tragic event marked one of Israel's deadliest days and ignited the ongoing war in Gaza, resulting in over 48,000 deaths according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
At the funeral, Ofri Bibas Levy urged Israeli officials to take responsibility for their failures. "Forgiveness means accepting responsibility and committing to act differently," she said, emphasizing the need for accountability to prevent future tragedies.
