Since the announcement of the truce between Israel and Hamas, the uncertainty over the state of the Bibas brothers has made itself felt. The minors, approximately two and five years old, They are the youngest hostages of the 251 captured on October 7, 2023. Now, according to the terms of the agreement, 33 hostages, including women, young people and the elderlyas well as sick people, will be released in the first 42 daysand Israeli authorities have indicated that most of them, although not all, are alive, which raises hopes of finding the little ones.
Shiri, the mother of the children, Ariel and Kfir, were not released during the previous agreementsand, to tell the truth, his fate has been a mystery since November 2023, when Hamas claimed they had been killed in an Israeli strike. However, Israel never confirmed this statement and maintains that they can be released under the new terms of the recently agreed ceasefire. The family has asked for caution and to avoid speculation until their loved ones cross the Israeli border.
Birthday in captivity
This Saturday, Kfir Bibas celebrates his second year of life in captivitywhile his older brother celebrated his fifth birthday on August 5, 2024, a day commemorated by illuminating the Knesset building in Israel in orangelike the tone of her hair. Likewise, family members and sympathizers demand the release of the Bibas brothers in public demonstrations with orange balloons and different symbols demanding the freedom of minors.
The international community has organized vigils and events of supportand the Bibas family has urged governments and international organizations to intensify their diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe return of Kfir, Ariel and their parents. However, the truth is that His possible status and Hamas’ unverified statements have created a rollercoaster of emotions for his loved ones and supporters.who still hope with all their might for a positive outcome.
The list of the 33 hostages is already confirmed
The mother and her children are among the 33 hostages included in the first phase of the ceasefire agreementalong with the father of the minors, Yarden Bibasalthough their release does not ensure that they are alive. It is worth mentioning that Hostages released during the November 2023 truce revealed that Yarden Bibas had been kept separated from his family and Hamas has never reported that he has died.
The list of hostages includes both children, ten women, eleven elderly people and eleven men under 50 years of age. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has stated that Hamas has not officially provided the identity of the hostages to be released nor has it confirmed its current status. Hamas has indicated that it would need approximately a week of calm to communicate with the captors and verify the condition of the hostages, since some are in the hands of other armed groups within the Gaza Strip.
The agreement establishes that, in parallel with the release of the hostages, Israel will release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners, prioritizing women and minors. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir He has expressed his opposition to the pact and has threatened to leave the government coalition if the agreement is ratified.
