Shiri Bibas

Shiri, a kind-hearted woman, had a playful spirit and a warmth that made everyone around her feel at home. Her laughter was contagious, her humor effortless, and her presence a source of light. Beneath her gentle nature was quiet strength—a devoted mother who did everything for her children, the heart and foundation of her loving, joyful family. Together with her husband Yarden (34), she established their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz, where they raised their two boys, 4-year-old Ariel (Luli), and 9-month-old Kfir (Fir-Fir).
On the morning of Saturday October 7, 2023, their world was shattered. As Hamas terrorists overran Kibbutz Nir Oz, murdering indiscriminately, the Bibas family became victims of the darkest day in Israel’s history. Yarden went out to protect his family from the terrorists, hoping they would fight him and leave Shiri and the kids alone. But the terrorists kidnapped him to Gaza on a motorcycle, injured. Later that morning, Shiri was taken hostage along with their two young sons by another group of terrorists. Shiri's parents, Margit and Yossi Silberman, were murdered by Hamas terrorists in their home on the kibbutz.
Of all the unspeakably brutal moments of 7 October, the horrific scene of the terrified Israeli mother, clutching her two redheaded sons to her chest as Hamas terrorists kidnapped them, is undoubtedly the most indelibly etched in the world's memory.
For a year and four months, their loved ones desperately pleaded for their safe return, with hardly any information on their whereabouts. Ofri Bibas, Yarden’s sister, became their voice, calling upon Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and all mediators to do everything possible to secure their release. But their fate remained unknown. “We don’t know where they are being held or by which organization. From what we know, they are kept underground somewhere in Gaza,” Ofri said.
The world held its breath, hoping. But then came the nightmare.
A few weeks after their abduction, we learned much later, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were handed over to the extremist Salafi group Al-Mujahideen. In November 2023, their captors murdered the mother and her young children. The terror group concealed their remains for over a year and three months, hiding them in the area of Khan Younis, Gaza.
On February 20, 2025, Ariel and Kfir were finally returned to Israel— not to the arms of their loving father, not to the warmth of their home, but in tiny coffins.
Yarden Bibas, who had been held hostage for 484 days, was freed just 19 days earlier as part of the second hostage release agreement. He waited with unbearable anticipation for his wife and children. But Hamas blatantly violated the agreement, refusing to return Shiri. Instead, they deliberately handed over the body of an unrelated Gazan woman, falsely claiming it was her. In response to the demands of Israel and the mediating countries, Shiri was returned to Israel, 503 days after her abduction.
At last, the Bibas family could gather, hearts shattered, to accompany their loved ones on their final journey. On that fateful day, an entire nation stood silent, broken, and grieving. Millions across the world wept together for the mother who fought to protect her children, and the sweetest redheaded boys whose laughter was stolen far too soon.
But their light will never fade.
Their names will be spoken.
Their story will be told.
Shiri, Luli and Fir-Fir will never, ever be forgotten.


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