The revelation that one of the bodies recovered was not that of Shiri Bibas has reignited grief and frustration across Israel.
In a statement on Friday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed deep sorrow, declaring, “We are horrified and devastated” that Shiri was not among those returned, despite prior agreements and the desperate hopes of her loved ones.
The statement further urged Israel and the international community to ensure that agreements are honored while acting “with wisdom and urgency” to address what it called blatant violations. “Every step must be taken with careful responsibility to secure the safe return of all hostages,” it added.
A Symbol of October 7’s Tragedy
The abduction of the Bibas family became one of the most haunting images of the October 7 Hamas attack. Footage of a terrified Shiri Bibas holding her two young children, wrapped in a blanket, captured global attention. One of her sons, Ariel, only four years old at the time, was last seen sucking on a pacifier.
After their kidnapping, a widely circulated photo of Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage at just nine months old, gained international prominence. The image, showing Kfir smiling and clutching a pink elephant toy, became a symbol of the ongoing hostage crisis. His brother, Ariel, was frequently shown in another image, taken after a haircut, still wrapped in the barber’s cape. In earlier photos, the red-haired child was often seen wearing Batman-themed clothing, reflecting his love for the superhero.
The images of the Bibas family have been displayed across Times Square in New York City, printed on t-shirts worn by demonstrators in London and Berlin, and even shown at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed the crisis.
UN Chief Condemns Handling of Bodies
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, strongly criticized the handling of the bodies, condemning the “parading of bodies and displaying of the coffins” during Thursday’s handover. His remarks reflect growing concern over the treatment of hostages and the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict.
As negotiations continue and pressure mounts, families of hostages remain in limbo, demanding answers and the return of their loved ones.
