It has been 304 days since young Ariel Bibas was kidnapped along with his mother Shiri and infant brother Kfir on Oct. 7. The images and footage of their horrific abduction have become widely known both in Israel and abroad, with the unforgettable sight of the children's small, ginger heads and their mother's terrified expression etched in many people's memories.
Video: Israeli hostage Ariel Bibas turns 5 in Hamas captivity. Credit: Courtesy
Ariel, the second-youngest Israeli hostage (his year-old brother being the youngest) turns 5 in Hamas' captivity. "Ariel's birthday is another painful reminder that time is passing without them being returned," says his aunt, Ofri Bibas-Levy, who, along with other family members, continues to fight tirelessly for his return. "As Ariel's birthday approached, I thought about where we were on Kfir's birthday," Ofri continued. "Then I realized he never celebrated a birthday here. He was one year old in captivity, in Gaza, and now we've reached Ariel's birthday."
All four members of the Bibas family were kidnapped, including Ofri's brother Yarden Bibas. The terrorist organization released a video of Yarden filmed in captivity in November, but beyond that, no signs of life have been received from the rest of the family.
"We are not giving up on them, and we won't let anyone else give up on them either," Ofri said. "It's a disgrace that we've reached more than 300 days because it means we might soon reach day 365, which is a full year, and that's the scariest year in the world."
The Israeli public gathers weekly at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to call for the immediate release of the hostages and to support their families. Currently, 115 hostages remain in captivity. On August 5, at 5 p.m., the public will gather not only for these reasons but also to mark Ariel's birthday.
"It frightens me that people might lose hope and stop coming," Ofri shared. "We keep saying that as long as they don't give up there [in Gaza] – we won't give up on them.
"The thing I wish most for Ariel on his birthday is that he lives to celebrate next year. It's the most generic wish, but since Oct. 7, it has become a privilege."
