Israel Bids Farewell to Murdered Hostages Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas
Tens of thousands of mourners lined up at the roadsides to pay their final respects as Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were laid to rest on Wednesday morning near their home in southern Israel.
Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, murdered by Hamas terrorists in cold blood, were buried in Tsoher Cemetery near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. The funeral service, attended by the family and close friends, was broadcast live.
Yarden Bibas, Shiri’s husband and father of Ariel and Kfir, spoke at the heartbreaking ceremony. “I hope you’re not angry with me for not being there when you needed me most,” said Yarden, who gave himself up to the Hamas terrorists, hoping that would save his wife and boys.
“I think about everything we went through together — there are so many beautiful memories. I remember Ariel and Kfir’s births,” Yarden said talking of Shiri. “I remember the days we would sit at home or in a café, just the two of us, talking for hours about everything under the sun. It was wonderful. I miss those times deeply.”
Earlier this week, Hamas released the bodies of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian terrorists. Forensic examination of the bodies confirmed the worst fears that Hamas had brutally murdered the three. Hamas terrorists then mutilated the bodies to cover up their crimes. They even swapped Shiri’s body with a random Palestinian woman in a desperate bid to conceal the torture and cold-blooded murder.
Broken and emaciated Yarden was released earlier this month after 484 days of captivity.
Ahead of the funeral, the Bibas family, in a statement, called on “the entire nation of Israel to stand with Israeli flags at the roadsides and accompany them on their last journey to eternal rest.”
People heeded the call all across Israel, and thousands converged at the landmark Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to view the funeral ceremony. “Large crowds have gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch the funeral of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas and Kfir Bibas,” The Times of Israel reported. “The square is full of people wearing orange and holding yellow and orange balloons, wearing Batman masks and posters of Batman alongside Israeli flags held high and wrapped around peoples’ shoulders. Four-year-old Ariel loved the superhero.”
The Jerusalem Post reported:
Murdered hostage Shiri Bibas, along with her murdered hostage children, Ariel and Kfir, are being laid to rest in the Tzohar cemetery on Wednesday.At the request of the Bibas family, the funeral of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas is being held privately without media presence.”Mi Amor, I remember the first time I called you Mi Amor,” Yarden said, mourning his wife.”Ariel, in his innocence, wanted to be a superhero and save people trapped in a pit. I believe you fulfilled that dream. Ariel, you are a superhero,” he added.”Shiri, people say they will always be here with me, but they are not you, so please stay close to me,” he continued.”Ariel, I hope you’re not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you. I hope you know I thought about you every day, every minute,” Yarden said, addressing his oldest son. “I hope you’re enjoying paradise. I’m sure you’re making all the angels laugh with your silly jokes and impressions. I hope there are plenty of butterflies for you to watch, just like you did during our picnics.”To Kfir:I didn’t think our family could be more perfect, and then you came and made it even more perfect,” he said. “I remember your birth. I remember during the delivery when the midwife suddenly stopped everything—we were frightened and thought something was wrong—but it was just to tell us we had another redhead. Mom and I laughed and rejoiced. You brought more light and happiness to our little home. You came with your sweet, captivating laugh and smile, and I was instantly hooked! It was impossible not to nibble on you all the time.”Kfir, I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better, but I need you to know that I love you deeply and miss you terribly!”At Yarden’s request, they played Avenged Sevenfold’s song, “Roman Sky,” after he spoke.
At a military ceremony before the funeral, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reminded the soldiers what Israel was fighting for.
Prime Minister said that the picture of Shiri and innocent boys “says it all. “I want you to engrave it upon your hearts, so that we always remember what we’re fighting for and who we’re fighting against.”
“They strangled the tender boys with their bare hands,” he said. “And if they only could, they’d murder us all with the same cruelty.”
Hamas fires rockets while Bibas’ funeral was underway
Gaza-based terrorist group fired a rocket towards Israel while the funeral was underway. The rocket failed to reach Israel. “A short while ago, one projectile was identified from the Gaza Strip that fell within the Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a press statement.
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