Two Youngest Israeli Hostages, Ages 2 and 5, and Their Mother Confirmed Dead as Hamas Prepares to Return Their Remains

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariel and Kfir Bibas.Photo:Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Hamas will return the Bibas family’s remains to Israel on Feb. 20 as part of a recent agreement to quickly release “four slain hostages,” also including Oded Lifshitz. They agreed to release an additional “six living hostages” on Feb. 22.

Along with his family, Kfir — who turned 1 year old in captivity — became one of the most recognizable faces of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel.

Ofri Bibas Levy, wearing a T-shirt of her brother’s family.AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Kfir and Ariel were abducted alongside their parents in October 2023 at 9 months old and 4 years old, respectively,CNNreported. Yarden Bibas, the boys' father, wasreleased aliveon Feb. 1, but his wife, Shiri, and their kids were not.

Hamas' Feb. 18 statement that included the boys in the group of slain hostages was the most concrete indication to date that the two children had been killed in captivity, though some in Israel remained skeptical until their own government confirmed the news on Feb. 19, according toThe Associated Press.

Israel’s confirmation of their deaths on Feb. 19 squashed doubts from some in Israel who didn’t take Hamas' word for it.

Yarden Bibas, the boys' father, wasreleased aliveon Feb. 1, but his wife and kids were not.

Ofri Bibas Levy with a photo of Kfir Bibas, the youngest Israeli hostage.Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP

Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP

On Feb. 18, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum announced the names of the six living hostages to be released Feb. 22, but mourned those whose remains would be surrendered on Feb. 20.

The forum added that all families of the hostages, dead and alive, had been notified.

Israel is expected to surrender Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages.

source: people.com