Family and friends of Shiri Bibas, an Israeli hostage murdered in Hamas captivity, marked what would have been her 34th birthday on Wednesday with an emotional tribute on an Instagram page dedicated to her memory.
"Our Shiri was supposed to celebrate her 34th birthday today. Shiri, we see you every time we close our eyes – we remember you smiling, dancing, laughing. You meant everything to us... an incredible mother, a loving sister and daughter, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and Yarden's whole world," the post read.
The message continued, "Our beloved Shiri, we know that you are celebrating up above with Ariel and Kfir, with your parents Margit and Yossi, and with Tonto [the family's dog]. Please give them a big hug and tell them how much we all miss them."
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Shiri Bibas, along with her husband Yarden and their two young sons, 5-year-old Ariel and 1.5-year-old Kfir, were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir-Oz during the October 7 Hamas attack. The Bibas family became one of the most recognizable symbols of the hostage crisis after images of Shiri clutching her two red-haired children in a blanket were circulated worldwide.
In February, Yarden Bibas was released from Hamas captivity, after 484 days as part of the hostage deal and ceasefire agreement between Israel and the terror organization. Toward the end of the month, Hamas returned the remains of his wife Shiri and kids Ariel and Kfir, who were confirmed murdered in captivity following a forensic inspection.
