Yarden Bibas thanks Israeli public for their support as he is helicoptered to hospital

1 February 2025, 1:50 pm

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Yarden Bibas, flanked by his sister Ofri and father Eli, is seen on an IDF helicopter on his way to a hospital in central Israel on February 1, 2025, after his release from Hamas captivity. In his message on the whiteboard, he thanked all of Israel for its support. (Israel Defense Forces)

Footage shows Yarden Bibas on the helicopter flight from the IDF base near the Gaza Strip to the Sheba Medical Center in central Israel.

Bibas, whose wife and two small children are still held in Gaza amid deep fears for their fate, holds up a sign thanking the people of Israel for their support.

He holds up a board with a message that reads: “I thank all the people of Israel for their support and help. I heard from my family that you fought for me.”

“I want to say thank you very much. I appreciate it very much. It is not taken for granted,” he writes, adding “Happy birthday, Grandpa.”

He is accompanied on the flight by his father and sister.

His mother, who is waiting at the hospital to be reunited with him, tells Channel 12: “Now we have one, we are waiting for the other three.”