The Bibas family, who became a poignant symbol of the hostage crisis following the October 7, 2023 attacks, has been confirmed dead in captivity, with forensic evidence indicating the two young children were killed by their captors. The bodies of Shiri Bibas, 32, and her sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, who was nine months old at the time of their abduction, were returned to Israel in February 2025. Their father, Yarden Bibas, had been released earlier that month, unaware of his family's fate.
The family was abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas militants during the initial assault. Footage of Shiri Bibas clutching her children as they were taken into Gaza became seared into the collective memory, making them the face of the youngest hostages. Their distinctive red hair led to "Orange Day" campaigns globally, advocating for their release.
Hamas had previously claimed that Shiri Bibas and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike. However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that forensic analysis and military intelligence concluded that Ariel and Kfir Bibas were killed by their captors. The IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, emphasized that Hamas was "wholly responsible for the security of all hostages."
The return of the bodies occurred in phases, with initial confusion surrounding Shiri Bibas's remains. The Bibas family confirmed on February 22, 2025, that the body identified as Shiri's had been returned. The tragic confirmation of their deaths sparked widespread outrage and grief. Prominent figures, including Bari Weiss, expressed disbelief and sorrow, with Weiss stating in a tweet, "> This is absolutely insane. Listen and think about what he's saying here. We couldn't avoid the slaughter of the Bibas children. Really?"
The plight of the Bibas family has underscored the profound human cost of the ongoing conflict and the complex challenges surrounding the return of hostages. Their case continues to resonate deeply within Israel and internationally, symbolizing the innocence lost and the enduring pain inflicted by the events of October 7.