Family of Released Israeli Hostage Seeks Clarity on Missing Loved Ones

Yarden Bibas, released from Hamas captivity, pleads for information on his wife Shiri and their two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, who were kidnapped during the assault on Israel. Shiri's sister expresses frustration over the lack of updates from Israeli authorities, holding the government accountable for their welfare.

The family of Yarden Bibas, an Israeli hostage released over the weekend, is desperately seeking information concerning the fate of his wife and two children, who were also taken captive by Hamas. Bibas, 34, was set free on Saturday alongside two other hostages in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners, part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. His wife, Shiri, 33, and their sons, Ariel, five, and Kfir, two, were kidnapped during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Hamas claimed in November that Shiri and the children had perished in an Israeli airstrike, a claim the Israeli military has not confirmed. The family is now demanding clearer answers. Shiri's sister, Dana Silberman-Sitton, spoke at Sheba Medical Center, stating, "We will no longer accept uncertainty" and criticized the government’s failure to protect her family. She insisted, “We demand answers. We demand them back."

Kfir was just nine months old at the time of the kidnapping, making him the youngest of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas. Ms. Silberman-Sitton emphasized the government's responsibility over the well-being of Shiri and the children. "It has been almost 16 months, and the state has failed to bring them home," she stated.

Yarden's sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, highlighted the emotional toll this has taken on the family, sharing, "My brother returned, but my sister-in-law and nephews have not. Yarden asks about them, but I have no answers." Gal Hirsch, the government's hostage coordinator, acknowledged ongoing efforts to locate the family members and has been requesting updates from mediators involved.

Placards displaying photos of Kfir, Shiri, and Ariel emerged across Israel on January 18 in honor of Kfir's second birthday. Israeli officials disclosed earlier this year that of 26 remaining hostages expected to be released as part of the ceasefire, eight were confirmed dead. The situation remains deeply unsettling for their families, who have yet to receive definitive information.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog depicted Mr. Bibas's release as "heartbreaking," reiterating the nation's concern for the well-being of the Bibas family. Alongside Yarden were Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American, and Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli, marking the release of 13 Israeli hostages so far, all confirmed alive during the ceasefire. In total, around 251 were taken by Hamas during the initial attack, resulting in a considerable military response from Israel that has led to devastating consequences on both sides of the conflict.