The Hostages and Missing Families Forum issues a statement on behalf of Shiri Bibas’s family, after her body was identified overnight by forensic specialists and her kibbutz announced she was murdered while held captive in Gaza.
The family says it held out hope that Bibas and her young sons Ariel and Kfir would return alive after being kidnapped by terrorists on October 7, 2023, having “requested certainty [about their fate] for 16 months, and now there’s no comfort in it.”
“Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a dedicated sister and aunt and incredible friend,” the family adds, saying details will soon be provided on the funeral and shiva.
“Thanks to everyone for your support and love these 16 months, we wish that Shiri could be here to see it.”
According to assessments by Israeli officials, Shiri was “brutally” murdered along with her two young boys in November 2023.
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