Yarden Bibas delivered a heartbreaking eulogy for his wife and children on Wednesday, more than a year after they had been captured and then murdered by Hamas and days after their bodies were returned.
"Shiri, stay by my side, watch over me so I don't sink into darkness," said over their coffins in the southern town of Tzohar. The lone survivor of his immediate family from the Oct. 7 massacre in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Bibas shared intimate memories of his relationship with his wife Shiri, recalling their early courtship.
"I remember the first time I said 'my love' to you. It was at the very beginning of our relationship. You told me to only call you that if I knew for certain that I loved you, not to say it casually. So I didn't say it because I didn't want you to think I was rushing to say 'I love you.' Shiri, I'll reveal to you that I loved you even then when I said that," he said crying.
"Ariel, I hope you're not angry at me that I couldn't protect you properly and that I wasn't there for you. I hope you know that I thought about you every day and every minute. I hope you're enjoying heaven, and I'm sure you're making all the angels laugh," Yarden wept. To Ariel's younger son Kfir, he said: "I didn't think our family could be more perfect, and then you came and made it even more perfect. I remember your birth. I remember that after Shiri had gone into labor, the midwife suddenly stopped everything, and we got scared, afraid that something had happened, but it was only to tell us that we had another redhead. Mom and I laughed and were happy."
The emotional farewell came during Wednesday's all-but-official national day of mourning as thousands of Israelis lined the streets to pay their respects to Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas. The mother and two young children from Nir Oz were murdered while in Hamas captivity, with their bodies returned several days ago as part of the hostage deal.
The funeral procession began at 7:45 a.m. from the Chevra Kadisha complex in Rishon Lezion, traveling through multiple junctions before reaching its final destination in Tzohar, southern Israel. Along the route, masses gathered, many visibly emotional as the three coffins passed by.
Video: Thousands line up in Israel to bid farewell to murdered members of the Bibas family
"We have begun this funeral journey accompanied by masses of the people of Israel," the Bibas family stated. "We see and hear you all, and are moved and strengthened by your presence."
Yarden Bibas's full eulogy:
"Mi Amor"
I remember the first time I said "mi amor" to you. It was at the very beginning of our relationship. You told me to only call you that if I was certain I loved you, not to say it carelessly. I didn't say it then because I didn't want you to… pic.twitter.com/SD6RvT8gKr
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) February 26, 2025
Yarden Bibas, who was recently released after more than a year in captivity, watched solemnly as the nation mourned his family. Images showed him making a heart gesture toward the crowds who had come to honor his wife and children.
The brutal kidnapping of the family was captured on video on October 7, 2023, horrifying viewers worldwide and making the red-headed Kfir and Ariel a rallying cry against Hamas. While the family requested a private burial ceremony for invited guests only, eulogies were broadcast to the general public.
"The protective mother stood in contrast to the barbarity of the terrorists," said a kibbutz member during one of the eulogies delivered over the coffins.
