Iconic NY landmarks lit in orange to honor murdered Bibas children in Israel

The State of New York illuminated 14 prominent landmarks with the color orange to honor the memory of the two youngest Israeli hostages, Ariel (4) and Kfir Bibas (9 months), who were brutally murdered by Hamas and their captors in the Gaza Strip approximately one month after they were abducted into Gaza during the Hamas massive terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

The two children became famous worldwide for their red hair. Among the New York sites that were lit in red/orange included the Empire State Building, Penn Station, One World Trade Center and Niagara Falls.  

"Our hearts are broken as we mourn Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were brutally murdered by Hamas in an act of callous and unthinkable cruelty," New York Governor Governor Hochul stated.

Niagara Falls, Canada in memory of Ariel and Kfir Bibas🧡🇮🇱#IStandWithIsrael #NiagaraFalls pic.twitter.com/swT2IyPKNB

— Ann Hilton (@AnnHilton22) February 22, 2025

"I join millions around the world in honoring their memory and demanding that Hamas immediately return the body of Shiri Bibas home to Israel," the governor added. He was referring to the fact that Hamas initially refused to release the body of the children’s brutally murdered mother, Shiri Bibas, in clear violation of the hostage agreement between Hamas and Israel.

Following Israeli and international condemnation, Hamas eventually released the body of Shiri, which was then returned to Israel.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong condemnation of Hamas for the murder of the Bibas children, as well as their propaganda event in Gaza before handing over the bodies to the International Red Cross.

"It looked like they were celebrating when they brought the bodies. It was a horrific, brutal scene—hard to believe this is happening in the modern era," Trump stated. He said that he supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the State of Israel against Hamas.

Argentinian President Javier Milei declared a National Day of Mourning to honor Shiri, Kfir and Ariel, who were dual Argentine-Israeli citizens. Images of the mother and the two children were projected onto a central tower in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires.

"The Office of the President expresses its strongest condemnation of the terrorist group Hamas following the confirmation of the murder of the children of the Israeli Argentinian Bibas family," the Argentinian government stated online.

“Kfir and Ariel were both Argentine citizens,” said Sabrina Ajmeche, president of the Argentine Commission for Human Rights.

“Two Argentine babies killed by Hamas terrorism. I hope that after this I never have to hear again that what happens in Israel and Gaza is not our business, or that of all Argentines,” she added.

The Bibas family issued a public statement following the news that Shiri and her children were murdered in captivity.

"We received the news we feared – that our Shiri was murdered in captivity. For 16 months we sought certainty, and now it brings no comfort, yet we hope for the beginning of a closure. Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend."

“After 16 unbearably difficult months, this painful circle has finally been closed for the family, and in the coming days Shiri will return – together with her two little children – to eternal rest in the Land of Israel,” the statement read.

Bibas, Kfir and Ariel were kidnapped in their home close to the Gaza border by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. In November 2023, Hamas claimed that Shiri and her children were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

However, on Thursday, Israel Defense Forces announced it had "forensic and intelligence evidence that they were brutally murdered" by their captors in Gaza.

"Kfir and Ariel were kidnapped alive with their mother yet returned in coffins and alone," the Israeli military wrote in a post on 𝕏 with an accompanied image of a broken heart.

"Hamas murdered these innocent babies in captivity. We're heartbroken and outraged - as the world should be," the IDF added.