Hamas gunmen flank Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas on a stage before handing him over to a Red Cross team in Khan Yunis on February 1, 2025, as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal. (Eyad BABA / AFP)
The Bibas family issues an emotional statement after the return of hostage Yarden Bibas from Hamas captivity without his wife Shiri and two sons Ariel And Kfir.
“Yarden is home. A quarter of our heart has returned to us after 15 long months. There are no words to describe the relief of holding Yarden in our hands, embracing him, and hearing his voice. Yarden has returned home, but the home remains incomplete,” the statement says.
“Yarden is a father who left his safe room to protect his family, bravely survived captivity and returned to an unbearable reality,” it says.
At this time, we ask: Protect Yarden, Protect his soul. Please respect his privacy and give him the space he needs so that his body and soul can begin to recover,” the statement says.
Hamas has claimed that Shiri and the boys were killed in Gaza, but Israel has had no definite proof and has demanded information from Hamas through the mediators.
Yifat Zailer shows photos of her cousin, Shiri Bibas, center, her husband Yarden, left, and their sons Ariel, top right, and Kfir, who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, at her home in Herzliya, January 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
The Bibas family also thanks the people of Israel and the soldiers of the IDF.
“We will take a few days to reunite with Yarden, but we continue with hope and the call for the return of Shiri, the children and all the hostages. Please continue to make their voices heard and emphasize the urgency of their return.”
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From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 1, 2025
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