Yarden Bibas's family is calling for urgent updates regarding the whereabouts of his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons after he was freed from Hamas custody as part of a hostage exchange deal.
Israeli Hostage's Family Urges Clarity on Missing Wife and Children
Israeli Hostage's Family Urges Clarity on Missing Wife and Children
The family of Yarden Bibas, recently released from Hamas captivity, seeks answers about his wife and children's fate amidst ongoing tensions.
In an emotional plea, Yarden Bibas, aged 34, was welcomed back by his family on Saturday after being held captive, alongside two others, in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners. The return of Bibas is overshadowed by the chilling uncertainty surrounding his wife Shiri, 33, and their two children, Ariel, five, and Kfir, who was just nine months old at the time of their abduction during the brutal October 7 assault by Hamas.
Shiri’s sister, Dana Silberman-Sitton, expressed her family's frustration at the lack of information, stating, "We demand answers. We demand them back," while criticizing the government's failure to protect them. She spoke to reporters outside the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, where Yarden was recuperating after his release. She emphasized the need for accountability from the state regarding the whereabouts of her missing family members.
Despite being included on a list of hostages expected to be released, there has been no confirmation regarding Shiri and the children’s safety, following Hamas's assertion in November that they may have died in an Israeli airstrike, a claim which Israeli officials have yet to verify.
Yarden's sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, lamented the emotional toll on her brother, revealing, “Yarden asks about them and I have no answers for him.” Meanwhile, Gal Hirsch, the government's hostage coordinator, confirmed ongoing efforts to locate the missing family members and retrieve essential information about their wellbeing.
Yarden's return serves as a poignant reminder amid a fraught humanitarian landscape; Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the circumstances of Yarden's reunion with his loved ones as "simply heartbreaking," indicating the gravity of the ongoing situation.
Since the onset of hostilities beginning October 7, when Hamas took approximately 251 hostages, a substantial military response has ensued. The conflict has cost over 47,000 Palestinian lives according to reports from Gaza, illustrating the devastating consequences facing both sides as the situation unfolds.
Shiri’s sister, Dana Silberman-Sitton, expressed her family's frustration at the lack of information, stating, "We demand answers. We demand them back," while criticizing the government's failure to protect them. She spoke to reporters outside the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, where Yarden was recuperating after his release. She emphasized the need for accountability from the state regarding the whereabouts of her missing family members.
Despite being included on a list of hostages expected to be released, there has been no confirmation regarding Shiri and the children’s safety, following Hamas's assertion in November that they may have died in an Israeli airstrike, a claim which Israeli officials have yet to verify.
Yarden's sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, lamented the emotional toll on her brother, revealing, “Yarden asks about them and I have no answers for him.” Meanwhile, Gal Hirsch, the government's hostage coordinator, confirmed ongoing efforts to locate the missing family members and retrieve essential information about their wellbeing.
Yarden's return serves as a poignant reminder amid a fraught humanitarian landscape; Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the circumstances of Yarden's reunion with his loved ones as "simply heartbreaking," indicating the gravity of the ongoing situation.
Since the onset of hostilities beginning October 7, when Hamas took approximately 251 hostages, a substantial military response has ensued. The conflict has cost over 47,000 Palestinian lives according to reports from Gaza, illustrating the devastating consequences facing both sides as the situation unfolds.
