Following the identification process conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Health Ministry, in cooperation with the Israel Police, IDF representatives informed the Bibas-Silverman family on Saturday that their loved one, Shiri, was murdered in captivity and has been returned for burial in Israel. This comes after Hamas flagrantly violated the agreement and, as part of the seventh phase of hostage remains repatriation, handed over an anonymous body.
Shiri was abducted alive from Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her children, Ariel and Kfir, and according to professional assessments, she and her children were brutally murdered in captivity by terrorists in the early weeks of the war.
The Bibas family released a statement: "Last night, our Shiri was brought home. After the forensic identification process, we received the devastating news we had feared, our Shiri was murdered in captivity and has now returned home to rest alongside her children, husband, sister, and the rest of her family. Despite our fears for their fate, we continued to hope that we would get to hold them again. Now, we are broken with grief."
"For 16 months, we sought certainty, and now that we have it, there is no comfort in it. But we hope it marks the beginning of closure. Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend. In this difficult hour, we continue to demand the immediate return of all remaining hostages still in captivity. There is no goal more important than this. There can be no rebuilding without them."
The Hostage Families Forum stated: "We bow our heads in grief upon receiving the terrible news of Shiri Bibas' murder. With great sorrow, we received confirmation of her identification. She was murdered in captivity by ruthless terrorists and was returned to Israel yesterday for eternal rest."
Kibbutz Nir Oz released a statement: "Shiri, who was abducted at the age of 32, was born and raised in Nir Oz. For years, she cared for the kibbutz's children with dedication as part of the education system and was beloved by all who knew her. Over the past two years, she worked in the kibbutz's accounting department, but above all, she was a devoted mother who embraced parenthood with boundless love."
The kibbutz added: "Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, and Kfir deeply loved their home in Nir Oz - their porch and lawn, where they spent countless happy moments as a family - until they were all abducted on October 7. Shiri's parents, Yossi and Margit Silverman, were murdered that same horrific day. Today, after 16 unbearable months, the painful circle has closed completely for the family. In the coming days, she will be laid to rest in Israel alongside her two young sons."
"Shiri leaves behind a husband, a sister, nieces and nephews, and loving family and friends who will always remember her for her smile, kindness, and joy for life. May the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir be a blessing."
Earlier, her coffin was transferred to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, where the complex identification process began, including efforts to determine the cause of death. The body was handed over without coordination with Israel. The police were instructed to prepare for the transportation of the coffin to Abu Kabir overnight. A team of pathologists was dispatched, and forensic examinations were conducted throughout the night to confirm her identity.
Hamas transferred the coffin to the Red Cross last night, after mistakenly handing over the body of a Gazan woman the previous day. Initially, a Hamas official claimed that "Shiri Bibas' remains may have been mixed with others." A senior Israeli official stated that it is believed Hamas did not withhold her body deliberately but rather handed it over by mistake.
The previous night, the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas were identified. The IDF announced that, based on professional assessments, intelligence, and forensic findings, the two boys were brutally murdered in November 2023.
