Israeli children who returned from Hamas captivity prepared Thursday greeting cards to mark the first birthday of Kfir Bibas, who is being held in Gaza along with his four-year-old brother Ariel and parents Yarden and Shiri.
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A special event will also be held in the public plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art that has come to be known as the Hostages Square under the name "The Saddest Birthday in the World."
Video: A lullaby for Kfir Bibas / Credit: Kan 11
Kfir, Ariel, Shiri, and Yarden were brutally taken hostage from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists who unleashed terror on the communities bordering Gaza on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 Israelis.
There has been a sign of life from Yarden, but the fate of the rest of the family members is unknown.
Four-year-old Oriya Brodutch, who was released on Nov. 26 along with mother Hagar, 40, and siblings Ofri, 10, Yuval, 9, wrote in the birthday card, "Happy birthday, may you return home soon."
Thirteen-year-old Gali Tarshansky, who was released on Nov. 29, wrote, "Cute and sweet Kafir, happy birthday. We are waiting for you to return to us safely and quickly and we will celebrate with a cake and gifts, like a one-year-old child should celebrate."
Nine-year-old Emily Hand, who was released on Nov. 26, wrote, "I hope you get out of there as soon as possible. I understand the feeling because I was there too. Sending you hugs and love."
Shiri Bibas' cousin, Yifat Zeiler, said: "No abductee should celebrate a birthday in captivity. We thank the children and their families for such a moving gesture, and ask the decision-makers to read these wishes to understand that behind every hostage there is a whole world."
The Kibbutz Nir Oz community commemorated Kfir Bibas' first birthday as well, in an emotional event marked by dozens of orange balloons that feature testimonies from released hostages as well as families still awaiting the return of their loved ones.
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