Relatives of Bibas family, taken captive on October 7th, castigate Hamas after new footage released.
By David Rosenberg, World Israel News
The relatives of an Israeli family taken captive by Hamas terrorists during the invasion of southwestern Israel on October 7th urged leaders in Israel and abroad to ensure the safe return of their loved ones, after talks between the Gaza-based terror group and Israel were suspend over the weekend.
Relatives of the Bibas family responded Monday to the release of security camera footage from several days after the October 7th invasion, showing Mrs. Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, in captivity.
The three were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists in their home in Nir Oz on October 7th, while Shiri’s husband, Yarden, was separately captured and taken into captivity in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, IDF chief spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that Israeli forces had located video footage of the Bibas family, filmed several days after they were taken captive.
Later on Monday, relatives of the four captives castigated Hamas, and reiterated their calls for Israeli leaders and those abroad involved with the talks aimed at a hostage deal to ensure the release of the Bibas family.
“These videos tear our hearts out,’ the family said in a statement. “Witnessing Shiri, Yarden, Ariel and Kfir, ripped away from their home in Nir Oz into this hellscape, feels unbearable and inhumane.”
“Kidnapping children is a crime against humanity and a war crime. Ariel and Kfir are victims of monstrous evil. Our whole family has become hostages along with all the hostages.”
“We desperately call on all decision-makers in Israel and worldwide involved in negotiations: Bring them home immediately. Make it clear to Hamas that taking children is beyond the pale. Prioritize the return of these children first and foremost in any agreement.”
“We want to thank the public in Israel and worldwide who support us, and ask you to continue the struggle for their return home.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog responded to the release of the video Monday, calling for the immediate return of the Bibas family.
“One word. Barbarity. Hamas terrorists carry away the Bibas family into captivity. Kfir Bibas, just a year old, is the youngest hostage in the world. The whole world must demand and work to bring them home now”
In late November, Hamas claimed that Shiri Bibas and her two children were killed in an Israeli airstrike in a statement the IDF called “cruel and inhuman” psychological warfare.
Israel has yet to confirm the fate of the Bibas family. In at least one instance, Hamas has falsely claimed an Israeli hostage – Hannah Katzir – was killed in an airstrike. Katzir was later returned to Israel in a hostage release.