“This is outright abuse of a family that has already been enduring hell for 16 months,” says Ofri Bibas-Levy as controversy erupts over Netanyahu’s remarks.
Tel Aviv [Israel], February 27: Thousands of Israelis gathered in southern Israel on Wednesday to bid a final farewell to Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, as their funeral procession made its way through the streets. Many mourners carried Israeli flags, signs, and orange balloons—a tribute to the children’s distinct red hair.
The Bibas family insisted on a private funeral in Zohar, near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and explicitly requested that no politicians attend. However, the family’s grief turned to outrage after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly shared details about their deaths against their wishes.
“This is outright abuse of a family that has already been enduring hell for 16 months,” wrote Ofri Bibas-Levy, Yarden Bibas’ sister, in a Facebook post.
A Family Tragedy That Shocked a Nation
Shiri Bibas, her husband Yarden, and their sons Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months) were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’ October 7 attack. The infant Kfir became the youngest hostage taken that day.
While Yarden was released on February 1, his wife and children never returned home. During the temporary ceasefire in November 2023, when 105 hostages were freed, Hamas claimed that Shiri and her children had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, but failed to provide evidence.
After recovering their bodies, Israeli forensic experts confirmed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were murdered in November 2023. There was no evidence to support Hamas’ claims that they died in an airstrike.
Argentina Declares National Mourning for Bibas Family
The Bibas family were Israeli-Argentine nationals, and their tragic deaths have reverberated beyond Israel. Argentine President Javier Milei declared two days of national mourning, honoring the innocent lives lost in the conflict.
The October 7 attacks left at least 1,200 people dead and saw 252 Israelis and foreigners kidnapped by Hamas. As of now, 63 hostages remain in Gaza, with 36 believed to be dead.
Netanyahu Faces Backlash Over Public Disclosure
During his address at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Congressional Summit, Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed details of the Bibas family’s deaths, sparking anger from their relatives.
Family members accused him of insensitivity and using their personal tragedy for political purposes. The Bibas family, already enduring 16 months of anguish, had specifically asked for privacy.
“We expected dignity and respect, not exploitation,” a family representative told local media.
A Nation in Mourning
As Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, the grief surrounding the Bibas family’s fate is a stark reminder of the human toll of war. Their story has left an indelible mark on the country, with their names now etched in the painful history of the October 7 attacks.