Four coffins were transferred to Israel on Tuesday night, including three deceased Israeli hostages – Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, and Eitan Levi. The fourth one was supposed to be another Israeli hostage, but Hamas apparently used the body of a Palestinian resident of Gaza, although it is unclear if this was a mistake or deliberate.

The Prime Minister's Office released an official statement this morning, which read: "Following the completion of the identification procedure by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in collaboration with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives notified the families of the hostages Uriel Baruch, Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, and Eitan Levi that their loved ones had been repatriated to Israel and their identification was finalized. The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Baruch, Nimrodi, and Levi families, as well as all families of the deceased hostages. The Government and the State of Israel's entire hostage and missing persons apparatus are determined, committed, and are operating relentlessly to return all of our fallen hostages for a respectful burial in their homeland. The Hamas terrorist organization is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the agreement's implementation; we will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all the deceased hostages, every last one. May their memories be blessed".

Aside from the statement, no operational decision has yet been made. The Rafah crossing was not scheduled to open this morning in any event, as the logistical deployment for its opening has not yet concluded. Furthermore, the political echelon has not yet issued a directive regarding the suspension or decrease of humanitarian aid.

A similar case happened when the body of Shiri Bibas was supposed to be handed over to Israel during the previous hostage deal. In the previous exchange on February 20 of this year, Hamas transferred a body to Israel, claiming it was that of Shiri Bibas, a resident of Nir Oz who was kidnapped and murdered in captivity with her two sons – Kfir Bibas and Ariel Bibas. After a protracted examination at the National Center of Forensic Medicine, the body was then discovered to belong to a Palestinian woman who lived in Gaza, and following fury and threats from Israel, Shiri Bibas's body was subsequently transferred and identified.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, reacted in a post on the X network: "Enough of the disgrace. Right after the gates were opened for hundreds of trucks, Hamas very quickly reverted to its well-known tactics – to lie, deceive, and abuse families and bodies. The Nazi terror understands only force, and the sole path to resolving issues with it is to wipe it from the face of the earth."

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Chabad on Campus International has launched a new initiative called #CampusforBibas, according to a press release issued Tuesday. The campaign aims to honor the memory of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, two young children who, along with their mother Shiri Bibas, were murdered by Hamas after being taken hostage on October 7.

The initiative, as detailed in the release from Chabad on Campus, encourages Jewish male students to wrap tefillin and Jewish female students to light Shabbat candles. "This initiative was born from the painful reality that Kfir and Ariel will never get to grow up and put on tefillin, and Shiri will never again light Shabbat candles for her family," said Rabbi Avi Weinstein, Chabad on Campus International COO.

According to the organization, the campaign represents more than just remembrance – it serves as a declaration of Jewish resilience. The press release emphasized, "Every mitzvah done in their name is a declaration that the Jewish people will never be extinguished."

The Bibas family's situation has resonated deeply within Jewish communities worldwide. The press release cited social media responses, including one user who wrote, "The thought of Kfir and Ariel never reaching their bar mitzvah broke me. I will put on tefillin every day for them." Another person reportedly commented, "My daughter and I will light Shabbat candles for Shiri. Her light will not be lost."

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The brutal kidnapping of the three was captured on video and horrifying the world. The painful funeral procession began at 7:45 a.m. from the Hevra Kadisha complex in Rishon Lezion and will continue to the Sha'ar HaNegev Junction.

Video: Thousands line up in Israel to bid farewell to murdered members of the Bibas family

The coffins' journey concluded with a burial ceremony in Tzohar in southern Israel, with family and local officials delivering eulogies. "The protective mother stood in contrast to the barbarity of the terrorists," said a member of the kibbutz as he delivered a eulogy over the coffins.

Video: Israelis bid farewell to the Bibas family as they are laid to rest / Credit: Reuters

Masses of Israelis lined up along the procession route, paying their last respects to Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas. The three were murdered in Hamas captivity after their kidnapping on Oct. 7, 2023, with the father being the only survivor of the family, having been recently released after more than a year in captivity. 

The Bibas family watched solemnly as thousands gathered for the funeral procession on Wednesday. "We have begun this funeral journey accompanied by masses of the people of Israel," the family stated in an emotional message.

"We see and hear you all, and are moved and strengthened by your presence. Yarden says he apologizes for not being able to come down and give each and every one of you a hug. We yearn for the day when we can once again unite in moments of joy, not sorrow," they added as the procession made its way through the streets lined with mourners paying their final respects.

Thousands gather in Rishon LeZion at the start of the funeral procession / Credit: TPS/Eitan Elhadez Barak)

Along the way, the coffins will pass through the Rishonim Interchange, the Yavne Interchange Bridge, the Ad Halom Bridge, the Nitzanim Junction, the Yad Mordechai Junction, and the Nir Am Junction.

The Bibas family requested that the funeral ceremony be held in the presence of invitees only.

Video: People gather at Hostage Square ahead of the funeral of the Bibas family members / Credit: Shmuel Buchris

The eulogies were broadcast to the general public at 11:30 a.m. and streamed here on the Israel Hayom website. At Beit Berl College, a ceremony was held with the participation of academic staff and students where they released orange balloons in memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, and for the return of all hostages, both the living and the deceased. 

Video: Israelis bid farewell to the Bibas family as they are laid to rest / Credit: Shmuel Buchris

Amir Tamsut, a resident of Moshav Yesha who joined the convoy accompanying the funeral procession, said: "I manage the sports department in Eshkol. I was born and raised in Eshkol. For us in the community that experienced the greatest tragedy, we move through a range of emotions from hope to deep sadness. Today is a difficult and complex day, a day when almost an entire family was kidnapped and brutally murdered, and the least we can do is accompany them on their final journey." 

Video: MKs in the Knesset stand for a minute of silence to remember the Bibas family

Tamir Abraham, who stood by the road as the coffins passed by, said, "I live in North Carolina and returned for a week's visit to Israel. It's important to be here right now to pay final respects. This is closure, and with God's help, everyone will return home, all the hostages, and we will rebuild the country."

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"I am informed by the government that they will wait for official information on the DNA results of the bodies and that, if confirmed, Argentina will then declare a National Day of Mourning in their honour, " President of the Argentinian Commission for Human Rights Sabrina Ajmeche, revealed the planned move on Wednesday.

"Two Argentinian babies assassinated because of Hamas terrorism," she wrote. "I hope that never again, after this, I have to hear that what happens in Israel and Gaza is not our concern, of all Argentines."

The brothers – Kfir, aged 1.5 years, and Ariel, aged 5 – were taken hostage from Nir-Oz during Hamas's October 7 attack along with their parents, Yarden and Shiri Bibas. Yarden was released recently as part of the implementation of the ongoing hostage deal with Hamas.

The brothers held Argentine citizenship through their father Yarden Bibas, who was recently released from captivity. "A huge hug to the Bibas family. Today, all Argentines are with you," Ajmechet added in her statement.

President Javier Milei's administration has maintained strong support for Israel throughout the conflict. The Argentine leader has visited Israel multiple times since October 7 and issued forceful condemnations of the attack. In a December 2024 letter, Milei wrote, "Silence is complicity, and it compels us to condemn the brutal and cowardly terrorist attack of October 7." On Wednesday, the Argentinian ambassador to Israel Axel Wahnish wrote on X : "Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas: EVERYONE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU. We are going through one of the most sensitive and tragic moments since that fateful Oct. 7. We accompany and support family members."

On Wednesday, an account that might be associated with Milei posted on X an image showing Shiri, Kfir and Ariel with the caption: "Blessed be their memories" and "Blessed is the True Judge. These phrases are traditionally said in Jewish mourning to acknowledge God's judgment

The president's office has not issued additional comments regarding the national day of mourning at this time.

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The three remaining captives of the Bibas family – mother Shiri, infant son Kfir, and his older brother Ariel – who became symbols since their abduction on October 7, have been named among the returning fallen hostages, all but dashing the hopes many all over the world had held since the horrific footage of their abduction spread.

Final forensics analysis will be carried out on Thursday once Hamas hands them over as part of the latest exchange in Phase I of the hostage deal, in which four fallen hostages are returned. The family said after the autopsies are complete and confirmation is given as to their identity, the mourning period could begin, urging Israelis to wait. Their father, Yarden was recently released from captivity after 484 days in the most recent exchange. 

The 34-year-old father Yarden was kidnapped separately while wounded. Each day, many tried to gather information about whether the family from Nir Oz was on the list, and their photos appeared in newspapers, on television, and across social media with their most identifying feature – their red hair. The video of Shiri trying to protect her two children with her hands, terror on her face as she was surrounded by many brutal terrorists, became a symbol of the kidnapping and haunted many mothers and everyone else.

Last year, the murderous terror organization Hamas claimed the three family members were dead and blamed the IDF. Israel could not remain indifferent, and shortly after, the IDF spokesperson announced they were examining the credibility of Hamas claims that the family members were killed during IDF bombings in the Gaza Strip during Operation Iron Swords. Shiri's parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, were also murdered on that tragic day.

"It feels like the end"

Shiri, born in Kibbutz Nir Oz to her father Yossi who immigrated from Argentina at age 18, married Yarden Bibas, and together they had two sons. The eldest, Ariel, was nicknamed by his father "the first Yemenite ginger," a clever and mischievous child. Kfir was born 10 months ago. Videos of Yarden kissing him on his back and making him burst with laughter are a memory of their happy life in the kibbutz.

That Saturday, terrorists overtook Nir Oz, reaching the Bibas family home. They breached the locked door using a drill and equipment they brought with them and entered the safe room where the four were hiding. Father Yarden reported to his family in real-time about the terrorists' entry and wrote "it feels like the end." He tried to defend the family with his personal weapon and was attacked. In photos, he is seen on a motorcycle between two terrorists, wounded and bleeding from his head, while the terrorist holds a blood-stained hammer. During the attack, the family dog Tony was also killed.

On the morning of the second swap as part of the implementation of the deal, the Bibas relatives posted on social media, writing about their difficult days and expressing criticism of the media and government.

"Morning 477. Again last night our souls found no rest. Yesterday at 16:00, when the list of those designated for release was published – our world collapsed. Although they prepared us for this, we hoped to see Shiri and the children on the list, which was supposed to be a list of civilian women.

"In the evening, when we turned on the news, our pain, our struggle, and especially the crucial discourse about the complexity and tragedy of them not being on the list disappeared from the broadcasters' lips in the studios. Does the grave concern for their lives negate the fact that they are civilians in captivity who need to return home? Does the grave concern for their lives negate the fact that the state is obligated in this deal to give us certainty? Does the grave concern for Shiri's life mean there is no longer a need to show her picture as a civilian kidnapped in Gaza whose fate is unknown? The answer is no."

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