The Bibas Family Requests a Private Levaya
Israel and the wider Jewish community is preparing to escort Shiri Bibas and her young sons, Ariel and Kfir, to their final resting place. The levaya is scheduled for Wednesday, with the family requesting a private ceremony. In a gesture of solidarity, the public is invited to line the procession route, waving Israeli flags, as the hespedim are broadcast at 11:30 a.m. local Israeli time. Notably, no government officials have been invited to attend.
The tragic journey of the Bibas family began with their abduction on October 7. After enduring captivity, their bodies were recently identified. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were murdered by their captors in the early weeks following their abduction. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari emphasized the brutality of the act, stating that the terrorists “murdered [them] in cold blood,” disproving Hamas claims that they perished in an airstrike. He further revealed the harrowing detail that the young boys were killed “with their bare hands,” and efforts were made to conceal these heinous crimes.
Shiri, 32, was a cherished member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, where she was born and raised. She contributed to the community by working in the kibbutz’s accounting department and had previously been involved in local education. The kibbutz community reflected on the family’s joy, recalling how Shiri, her husband Yarden, and their sons cherished their home, especially their porch and garden, where they shared countless happy moments before the tragic events of October 7.
The family has expressed a deep sense of loss and a yearning for closure. “For 16 months, we were seeking certainty. Now there’s no comfort, but we hope this brings some closure,” they shared.
Yarden, who was recently released, is grappling with the immense grief of losing his wife and children. His sister, Ofri Bibas, conveyed his turmoil: “In just two weeks, we transitioned from immense joy over Yarden’s return to deep sorrow and shock over Shiri and the children’s murder in captivity.” She highlighted Yarden’s struggle with the media attention and the overwhelming weight of the tragedy, noting his oscillation between relief at surviving and the unbearable loss he now faces.
The family has respectfully requested that the public honor their desire for a private levaya, attended solely by relatives and invited guests. In alignment with this, government ministers have been informed of the family’s wishes for politicians to refrain from attending both the funeral and the shivah. The Eshkol Regional Council has urged the public to respect the family’s privacy, stating, “To allow the family to say goodbye in the most personal and intimate way and due to space limitations, we ask everyone to honor their choice.”
As the nation mourns this profound loss, large police and security forces will be stationed along the procession route to ensure safety and order. The public is advised to adhere to all instructions provided by authorities. The Bibas family has extended their gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, and shared grief during this unimaginably difficult time.
In moments like these, the Jewish community comes together, embodying the principle of chesed shel emet—acts of true kindness—offering unwavering support to those who have endured unimaginable loss. May the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir H”YD be a blessing.