Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered along highways in a solemn display of mourning as the bodies of a mother and her two young sons, victims of the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip, were transported for burial. The Bibas family's tragic story has become a symbol of the deep sorrow felt across Israel following the attack by Hamas militants that sparked the war.
Shiri Bibas, along with her sons 9-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel, was captured by militants and taken to Gaza. Israel has confirmed through forensic evidence that the boys were killed by their captors in November 2023, while Hamas claims they died in an Israeli airstrike. The family's bodies were returned as part of a ceasefire agreement, with the heartbreaking revelation that one of the bodies initially identified was not Shiri's.
Yarden Bibas, the father, was abducted separately and later released alive. The family will be laid to rest near Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they resided before the abduction. The emotional procession to the cemetery saw an outpouring of grief from the public, with people lining the roads for miles, embracing each other in sorrow.
Motorcyclists bearing Israeli flags and orange ribbons followed the convoy, while thousands in Tel Aviv watched eulogies broadcasted on screens, many dressed in orange as a symbol of solidarity. Kfir, the youngest of the children taken hostage, captured the nation's attention with his red hair and infectious smile.
The Bibas family's advocacy for their cause, known as the 'ginger babies,' resonated with many, as they fought for the safe return of the abducted children. Ariel's love for Batman and family photos shared widely further endeared them to the public.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the delay in Shiri's remains' release as a violation of the ceasefire agreement, expressing profound grief at the tragic outcome. The family's identification during the handover in Gaza was marred by a display by Hamas militants, with coffins labeled and a disturbing cartoon targeting Netanyahu.
The toll of the conflict is staggering, with over 1,200 Israelis killed in the initial attack and 251 taken hostage. In Gaza, more than 48,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
As Israel mourns the loss of the Bibas family, the nation grapples with the enduring impact of the war and the need for healing and reconciliation.
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