Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced heartbreaking news this week. Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, are among the four dead hostages expected to be recovered from Gaza on Thursday.
The body of Oded Lifshitz will also be returned, marking the first handover of deceased hostages since the ceasefire with Hamas began in January.
The forum expressed deep sorrow: “This news cuts like a knife through our hearts, the hearts of the families, and people all over the world.” They lamented the tragic return of Shiri, Kfir, Ariel, and Oded, who were kidnapped alive but will now return as deceased.
This moment will be emotionally charged for Israel. The Bibas family has become emblematic of the October 7 terror attacks. Kfir, only nine months old, is the youngest victim; a poignant photo of him with a pink elephant toy has circulated widely. His older brother Ariel, four at the time of the attack, was often seen in a photo taken just after a haircut.
Shiri was 32 when she was taken, while their father, Yarden, was released earlier this month after 484 days of captivity. Sadly, the announcement of the names has stirred anger in the Bibas family, who claim the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office shared the information without their consent.
In response to public outcry, the forum urged people to refrain from making tributes until official confirmation is received. A source from the Prime Minister’s office acknowledged a mistake made by IDF liaison officers in releasing the names prematurely, which was not cleared with the family first. The IDF later expressed regret for the distress caused by this error.
Ahead of the upcoming release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared his grief in a video, describing the day as “a wrenching day” for the nation. He stated, “We are bringing home four of our beloved hostages, deceased.”
Oded Lifshitz, at 83, was kidnapped with his wife Yocheved from their home in kibbutz Nir Oz. Yocheved was released by Hamas, but Oded remained captive. Now, as Lifshitz’s family prepares for his return, they reflect on the long and painful waiting period that lasted 502 days.
While there is sadness in the return of these deceased hostages, it also brings some closure to their loved ones. Yet, there are still 69 individuals waiting for their release from Hamas, prompting the forum to urge decision-makers to hasten negotiations.
Lifshitz’s family expressed their ongoing hope: “For 502 days we hoped and prayed for a different ending, but until we receive absolute certainty, our journey will not end.”
