NEW YORK (Press Release) – Following today’s (Thursday, Feb. 20) return of Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all murdered while in terrorist captivity in Gaza, American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns with the families and all of Israel. AJC also anxiously awaits the return of Ariel and Kfir’s mother, Shiri, and the planned release of six living hostages on Saturday.“It is impossible to describe the overwhelming grief, anger, and relief that comes with these murdered hostages finally returning home to their loved ones and the shock of learning that Shiri Bibas is still not home,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “What should have been long-awaited, joyous reunions have instead become moments of heartbreak, as families now face the unimaginable task of planning funerals.
“Especially gut wrenching for so many of us is not only the brutal murders of Shiri and Yarden Bibas’s beautiful boys, Ariel and Kfir, but Hamas’ cruel and downright barbaric return of a body that they claimed to be their mother. Their murder, and this added violation of the hostage agreement, is just another horrific example of the unimaginable cruelty that Hamas has inflicted since October 7, 2023. The terror organization’s refusal to confirm their fate for so long was a deliberate act of psychological torture — not only against the Bibas family and their loved ones, but all of Israel and the global Jewish community.
“Our hearts are with all those who loved Ariel, Kfir, and Oded and all those they loved. We are thinking especially of Yarden Bibas, who was just released from Gaza only to sit shiva for his children as he waits in agony for terrorists to release his wife.
“Hamas has repeatedly shown the world who they truly are—agents of hate and terror. Their cruelty and callousness was on full display today – this morning at the grotesque rally they held parading the bodies of children in front of anti-Jewish, anti-Israel propaganda and now tonight, as we learn of their horrific attempted deception. They must be held fully accountable for their actions.”
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Preceding provided by the American Jewish Committee
Comments:
From Feed Israel Foundation’s CEO David Segal
There’s been some heartbreaking news … The IDF has officially identified the bodies of Ariel and Kfir Bibas—two innocent children brutally murdered in captivity by Hamas terrorists. The identification process has also revealed that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas and does not match any other hostage.
This is a deeply-concerning direct violation of Hamas’s agreement to return four deceased hostages, once again proving their utter disregard for human life and international norms. This could be grounds for major military escalation.
While the people of Israel mourn, they also brace for what comes next. Families who have already lost so much are struggling to put food on the table, and children are going to bed hungry as the crisis deepens.
Feed Israel is on the ground, delivering emergency food supplies and vital aid to those suffering the most. But the need is growing, and we cannot do this alone. Your support is essential in ensuring that Israeli families have the nourishment and stability they need to survive this harrowing time.
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Hadassah
In response to Hamas returning a body that does not match any of the hostages, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, National President Carol Ann Schwartz and CEO Ellen Finkelstein released the following statement:
“Hadassah is outraged by the depravity and barbarism of Hamas, which continues to inflict grotesque, unimaginable suffering on the hostages and their families and to commit crimes against humanity, for which it must be held accountable.
We are heartbroken that three of the hostages slain in captivity and returned yesterday to Israel in coffins were confirmed to be 83-year-old Oded Lifshitz – a lifelong peace activist who transported ill Palestinian children to Israeli hospitals for treatment – and Kfir and Ariel Bibas, young children who were kidnapped with their mother Shiri from their home on October 7. That Hamas claimed it was releasing Shiri and instead returned a body that did not match any of the hostages is unconscionable. Their cruelty knows no bounds.
We share in the deep sorrow of the Bibas and Lifshitz families and hold tight to our Jewish family in Israel and in the Diaspora. May Ariel’s, Kfir’s and Oded’s memories forever be a blessing.
We will not rest until Shiri and all the hostages are home.”
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Jewish Democratic Council of America
This week was tumultuous and painful for the vast majority of Jewish Americans, and no development brought more anguish than news related to Ariel and Kfir Bibas (z”l).
For more than a year, we hoped and prayed that the Bibas children would be returned safely home in the loving arms of their mother, Shiri. Their return in coffins and confirmation of their brutal murder is devastating beyond measure. Our hope and prayers were not enough to overcome the evil and barbarism they endured in Gaza, and our hearts collectively break for the Bibas family and that of Oded Lifshitz (z”l).
We will never forget the image of the Bibas family’s abduction – the children’s beautiful red hair blazing almost as much as Shiri’s fierce determination to protect them. We only wish that we could have protected all of them, and we still don’t know the fate of Shiri, whose body was not returned in accordance with the deal. Instead, there was an unidentified body in the coffin, demonstrating yet again the utter depravity of Hamas. Their barbarism and inhumanity know no bounds.
It has been 504 days too many since October 7. May the memories of baby Kfir and Ariel Bibas be a blessing, and may all of the hostages – including Shiri – be returned home now.