Wednesday was a deeply emotional and historic day in Israel. The Israel Daily News team was on the ground covering both the start of the funeral procession of the Bibas family in Rishon Lezion and the live viewing of their funeral at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, which brought out hundreds of people. Yarden, the family patriarch was recently released from captivity. He is pictured above eulogizing his wife and children. Shiri (32), Ariel (4), and baby Kfir Bibas (1) were kidnapped from their home on October 7th, murdered by Hamas (forensic experts say with their bare hands) in November 2023 and then kept for some 14 months thereafter. It was only 15 months after the heinous massacre that Israel was able to give them a proper burial. Their funeral was closed to the public, but a live stream allowed the nation to watch and grieve together, something that people we interviewed said they felt was necessary.
Hundreds of people lined the streets, holding signs and orange balloons—symbolizing the red-headed children who were taken captive. The crowd was silent, mourning the loss of a family brutally murdered and torn apart. As the police escort moved the bodies out of the city, people whispered, ‘Sorry, Shiri’ under their breath.
We watched and marched with those who came and we asked people to share their sentiment and what brought them out on the brisk Wednesday morning.
At around noon, we moved to Hostage Square outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, where hundreds gathered to watch the live-stream of the Bibas funeral. Since the family chose to keep the burial private, this public space outside of the museum became a place for people to come together in their grief.
The atmosphere was heavy, but caring, communal and supportive. Tears streamed down the faces of those watching and those tears intensified as Yarden Bibas took the stage. Yarden, the family patriarch, was released from Hamas captivity just weeks ago, only to find out that his wife and children had been murdered. He was hopeful that he would be reunited with them. This was the most painful part and seeing him find the courage and strength after being kept in captivity for 15 months was devastating. He described his family in a beautiful way, talking about the warm memories he has of his children and of getting to love his wife Shiri. He called her “Mi Amor” and lamented that it would be the last time. Shiri’s father was from Argentina and he referenced her terms of endearment which translates to “my love” from Spanish.
The sister of Shiri Bibas, Dana Silberman also gave an emotional address, talking about what a dedicated aunt Shiri was.
Despite the sorrow, many who came to Hostage Square expressed that standing together brought them comfort. They spoke about the importance of collective mourning and the need to show support for the families of victims.
To hear what mourners and residents who came out to share their grief had to say, click here.
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