Former Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas eulogizes his family as the nation mourns with him

Today, Israel mourns with profound sorrow as thousands gathered in the streets of Rishon Lezion to honor and support the Bibas family. Shiri (32), Ariel (4), and Kfir (9 months) were laid to rest after their release from Hamas captivity last week, a heartbreaking moment that has united the nation in grief.

Last week, the bodies of the three missing hostages were returned to Israel – the two boys together, followed later by their mother. Initially, Hamas returned the body of a woman who was not Shiri Bibas.

In a coordinated effort, the Red Cross later met with Hamas members in the middle of the night to retrieve Shiri’s body. It was later confirmed that the remains were, indeed, those of Shiri Bibas.

The IDF confirmed that Shiri and her two young sons were murdered while being held captive by terrorists in Gaza. According to the report, they were strangled to death, and their bodies were later mutilated in an attempt to falsely attribute their deaths to an Israeli airstrike.

Hamas, which had initially issued this claim, went on to publicly celebrate their deaths with a staged ceremony featuring missiles on display and a large banner as a backdrop accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF of killing them with “missiles from Zionist warplanes.”

The family has requested privacy for the funeral proceedings but invited the public to stand with them along the roads leading to the burial site.

Israelis showed up with orange balloons – which has become a symbol associated with the young boys, on account of their hair color – and Israeli flags, some of which contained the yellow ribbon emblem representing the hostages.

As a sign of respect, the residence of Israeli President Isaac Herzog was lit up orange in memory of the Bibas family.

"Today, after 509 days, Shiri and her young children are finally being laid to rest with dignity in Israel," the President's Office announced in a statement. "At this moment, as the people of Israel grieve and bow their heads in sorrow, the President's Residence mourns with Yarden and the Bibas family."

He expressed that an “entire nation prayed and hoped for a different outcome” to further accentuate the unity of Israelis during a time of heartache and grief.

Additionally, Herzog said that prayers will continue for “the swift return of all the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.”

Yarden Bibas, who was released from Hamas captivity on Feb. 1 as part of the hostage-ceasefire deal, went on to eulogize his wife while wearing an orange kippah (traditional Jewish headcovering).

"I want to tell you about everything that's happening in the world and here in Israel. Shiri, everyone knows and loves us – you can't imagine how surreal all this madness is. Shiri, people tell me they'll always be by my side, but they're not you. So please stay close to me and don't go far! Shiri, this is the closest I've been to you since October 7th and I can't kiss or hug you, and it's breaking me!"

Bibas went on to add, "Shiri, please watch over me. Protect me from bad decisions. Shield me from harmful things and protect me from myself. Guard me so I don't sink into darkness. Mishmish, I love you!"

Bibas then memorialized his two sons by first saying to his eldest child, “You made me a father. You transformed us into a family. You taught me what truly matters in life and about responsibility. The day you were born, I matured instantly because of you. You taught me so much about myself, and I want to thank you. So thank you, my beloved. I hope you're not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you. I hope you know I thought about you every day, every minute."

To his baby, Kfir, Bibas remarked, “I didn't think our family could be more perfect, and then you came and made it even more perfect... I remember your birth. I remember during the delivery when the midwife suddenly stopped everything – we were frightened and thought something was wrong – but it was just to tell us we had another redhead. Mom and I laughed and rejoiced. You brought more light and happiness to our little home. You came with your sweet, captivating laugh and smile, and I was instantly hooked! It was impossible not to nibble on you all the time.”

He also apologized to his youngest for not being able to save him or “protect him better” as he did his wife and firstborn son.