“Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10)
This striking message was inscribed on the casket of Shiri (32), Ariel (4), and Kfir (9 months), who were laid to rest together in an eternal embrace in late February. They were buried beside Shiri’s parents, who were tragically killed on October 7, 2023.
Ariel and Kfir’s heartbreaking story began when they, along with their mother, Shiri, were cruelly kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. The two red-headed boys quickly became among the most prominent faces of the hostages abducted that day. Kfir, just 9 months old, was the youngest of them.
As part of the ceasefire deal that took effect on January 19, 2025, the bodies of the Bibas family and another slain hostage, peace activist Oded Lifshitz (83), were released to the Red Cross and transferred to Israel on February 20, 2025. This followed a horrifying and humiliating ceremony conducted by Hamas, proudly parading the coffins on a newly built stage in Gaza with a backdrop of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu depicted with fangs and dripping blood—a classic antisemitic motif.
After Israeli bomb experts confirmed that the coffins were not rigged with explosives (and discovered that the keys to the coffins did not work), forensic analysis made matters worse by revealing that the body inside one of the coffins was not Shiri’s, but that of an unidentified Gazan woman. Shiri’s body was returned the following night.
Interestingly, no pro-Palestinian figures have raised questions about the identity of the mystery woman from Gaza. But that seems to align with Hamas’ complete disregard for human life.
As if the day could not get any worse, bombs were discovered on five buses in the Tel Aviv area that evening. Miraculously, by God’s divine intervention, the timers had been set for 9 PM instead of 9 AM, sparing thousands of lives. It was as though God knew the nation needed a helping hand on that very day. This served as another reminder that “He who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.” (Psalm 121:4)
For 16 months, Israelis held out hope for the safe return of the Bibas babies and their mother, even after Hamas claimed in November 2023 that they had died in an Israeli airstrike. However, after forensic investigations, it was confirmed that the two boys were murdered by Hamas in November 2023—not in an airstrike, but by being brutally killed with bare hands. Their bodies were then mutilated to cover up the crime.
This time, the narrative could not be twisted. The horrors of Hamas were laid bare for the world to see, sparking global outrage. The New York Post accurately reported the story under the headline: “MONSTERS: Lying Hamas murdered Israeli hostage babies with bare hands.”
Javier Milei, the president of Argentina and an avid supporter of Israel, called for two national days of mourning in honour of the Bibas family after their bodies were returned. They are even discussing the renaming of ‘Palestine Street’ in Buenos Aires to ‘Bibas Street’, as the brothers held dual Israeli-Argentinian citizenship through their father, Yarden Bibas.
As the world grappled with this heartbreaking reality, solidarity poured in from across the globe. Landmarks, buildings, and monuments were illuminated in orange in countries from the USA to Germany, France, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and Argentina. The iconic Empire State Building in New York, Niagara Falls in Canada, and the Eiffel Tower in Paris all glowed in orange as a tribute to the Bibas family. Thousands gathered in Paris, releasing orange balloons into the night sky. In Israel, on the eve of the funeral, David’s Harp Bridge, the Knesset, and Ben Gurion Airport were also lit up in orange.
The world was awash in orange, a colour that transcended borders, embodying a universal cry for justice. Each flicker of light, whether on a building or floating in the sky, echoed a shared sense of loss and unwavering support for the Bibas family—a collective moment of defiance against the forces of hatred.
On the morning of February 26, 2025, the funeral procession began in Rishon LeZion and ended at the cemetery near Kibbutz Nir Oz, the family’s home. The streets were lined with thousands of mourners paying their respects, overflowing with Israeli flags, orange shirts, balloons, and other tributes. The nation mourned as if it were their own family.
The front page of Israel Hayom, one of Israel’s leading newspapers, read on the day of the funeral: “Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir: An entire nation says goodbye to you in tears. Rest in peace.”
After 510 days—from the day they were taken until they were laid to rest—the Bibas family was finally buried in a private ceremony attended only by family and close friends. At the family’s request, no government representatives were present. The eulogies were broadcast live.
Yarden Bibas, Shiri’s husband, who had been kidnapped separately and held hostage in Gaza for 484 days before his release on February 1, 2025, eulogized his wife and children. Wearing an orange kippah, he said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you all.”
The people of Israel have rallied around Yarden, hoping to ease his burden, though his strength is undeniable despite his immense sorrow. It was recently revealed that while in captivity, Yarden was offered better treatment if he agreed to convert to Islam. He responded, “I was born a Jew. I will die a Jew.”
They then proceeded not to feed him for two days.
Shiri’s sister, Dana, also spoke at the funeral, saying of Hamas: “They will not defeat us, they will not break us.” She went on to say, “On the contrary, their mission failed because we united, because we grew stronger,” exemplifying the Jewish spirit of survival and resilience.
In honour of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, the father Yarden completed a Sefer Torah by writing the last three letters. The Torah scroll, which features a custom-made orange covering adorned with a picture of Shiri embracing her two sons, will be housed at Kibbutz Nir Oz—the place where the boys’ lives began, and where they now rest forever.
Ariel, meaning “lion,” and Kfir, meaning “cub,” became symbols of innocence stolen. Yet, amid the devastation and loss, there is a profound truth: The Lion of Judah is watching over us. He sees the injustice and the pain. He is not indifferent to our suffering. As Scripture reminds us, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” (Romans 12:19) The weight of vengeance belongs to God alone, and He will make all things right in His time.
May the story of these two red-headed cubs ignite an eternal flame in our hearts and serve as a powerful reminder, echoing through generations: NEVER AGAIN!
