Zohar, Israel: Mourners wept as they bid an emotional farewell to Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), at a cemetery in southern Israel’s Zohar. The trio had been kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, in the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, and their tragic deaths have become a symbol of the hostage crisis in Israel.

The funeral, attended by close family members, saw Shiri’s husband and the children's father, Yarden Bibas, deliver a heartbreaking eulogy, expressing his sorrow at not being able to protect them.

“Shiri, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all,” Yarden said, his voice shaking with grief.
“Ariel, I hope you’re not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you.”

A Nation in Mourning

The funeral was closed to the media, but live coverage was broadcast across Israel, with thousands gathering in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch the ceremony.

Orange balloons—symbolizing the children’s red hair—fluttered in the breeze near the cemetery.
Signs with messages like "Sorry" and "A broken heart with the Bibas family" were hung nearby.
The Israeli national anthem was sung as the funeral procession passed through Rishon LeZion, where their remains were prepared for burial.

The left-leaning newspaper Haaretz dedicated its entire front page to the family, printed in orange, reading:

“An entire nation in tears bids farewell to Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir. May they rest in peace.”

Anger and Calls for Accountability

Amid the grief, frustration and anger were also evident. Shiri’s sister-in-law, Ofri, blamed Israeli officials, stating that the family could have been saved but was instead caught in political decisions.

"There is no meaning to forgiveness before the failures are investigated, and all officials take responsibility… They could have saved you but preferred revenge," she said.

The Israeli government’s handling of hostage negotiations has faced heavy criticism, with many arguing that more should have been done to secure their release before it was too late.

The Bibas Family: A Symbol of October 7

One in four residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz was either killed or kidnapped in the October 7 attack by Hamas. Images of Shiri clutching her two terrified children, surrounded by gunmen, spread across social media, turning them into a symbol of the hostage crisis.

"The Bibas family is like the symbol of everything that happened to us since October 7," said Ayala Schlesinger Avidov, 72, a retired teacher attending the funeral.

Controversy Over the Return of Their Remains

The remains of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were handed over by Hamas last week as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, the process was marred by controversy, as Hamas initially delivered the wrong body, blaming a "mix-up" before sending the correct remains the following day.

Hamas claims that the Bibas family was killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Israeli forensic experts found no evidence of blast injuries, contradicting Hamas's account.

A Heartbreaking Goodbye

As the funeral procession moved through Israel, thousands of people lit candles, carried flags, and held orange balloons, paying tribute to Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir.

“The Bibas family has entered all of our hearts,” said Aviv Nahman, 22, wiping away tears. “I have a sister and nephews the exact same ages, so I felt an obligation to be here today.”

With flowers piled high on their graves, Israel mourns a family taken too soon, as the nation grapples with grief, outrage, and unanswered questions.