The family of Yarden Bibas, who was recently released by Hamas after 15 months in captivity, is experiencing a mix of emotions as they welcome him back while still grappling with the absence of his wife Shiri and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir.
Bibas and his family were abducted by Hamas from kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, with the children being just nine months and four years old at the time. Despite a temporary truce in late November 2023 that saw the release of many women and children, Shiri and the boys were not among them. Hamas had claimed that they were killed in an Israeli airstrike, a claim that Israel has not confirmed but has acknowledged the possibility of.
In a statement released through the Hostages Families Forum, the Bibas family expressed their relief at Yarden's return, stating that 'a quarter of our heart has returned to us.' They described the joy of holding him again but also acknowledged the pain of their incomplete family.
Yarden, hailed as a brave father who risked his life to protect his family, survived his captivity and has now returned to a reality that is difficult to bear without his wife and children. The family emphasized their continued hope for the safe return of Shiri, Ariel, Kfir, and all other hostages still held captive.
As they take time to reunite with Yarden and process their emotions, the Bibas family remains steadfast in their plea for the return of their missing loved ones. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing anguish faced by families of hostages and the enduring hope for their eventual reunion.
