Strong reactions, along with widespread support in Israel, have echoed around the world following Hamas’ statement yesterday (Tuesday) announcing the identities of the six living hostages to be released this coming Saturday and the four deceased to be released on Thursday. The Bibas family issued a statement: “In the past few hours, we have been in turmoil. It is important for us to say that while we are aware of the reports, we have yet to receive any official update on the matter. Until we have certainty, our journey is not over”.
Ofri Bibas: “We will not give up hope”
The terrorist organization claimed that among the deceased are Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Ariel and Kfir. However, this claim has not been officially confirmed by Israel. Various reports have emphasized that Israeli officials have made it clear that there is still no verified information about their fate. The Bibas family have also stated that they have not yet received official notification of their deaths.
Last night, Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas, husband and father to Shiri, Kfir and Ariel recently freed from captivity himself, published another plea urging people not to give up hope for her family, posting on social media: “Please don’t mourn my family, we have held onto hope for sixteen months and we will not give up hope now”.
French President: “Shiri, Kfir, Ariel—faces of innocence and love”
Shiri.
Kfir.
Ariel.Visages de l’innocence et de l’amour.
Visages d’une humanité éternelle que la barbarie du Hamas, jamais, n’abolira.
La France, mobilisée pour la libération de tous les otages, se tient aux côtés de Yarden et de la famille Bibas. En fraternité universelle. pic.twitter.com/3UOxwFcg3v
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 18, 2025
French President Emmanuel Macron also responded to Hamas’ statement last night. In a post on X, he shared a photo of the three and wrote: “Shiri, Kfir, Ariel. Faces of innocence and love. Faces of eternal humanity that Hamas’ barbarism will never erase. France, committed to the release of all the hostages, stands with Yarden and the Bibas family in universal solidarity.”
Extensive Support from Global Media
As expected, Hamas’ statement resonated across major international news outlets, particularly in relation to the fate of the Bibas family. The New York Post featured Hamas’ announcement as its top headline and noted that Israel has yet to confirm the claim that the three were killed. The newspaper also quoted the Bibas family’s statement from last night, which read: “Until we receive certainty, our journey is not over.”
Germany’s Bild, known for its pro-Israel stance, described the current moment as “one of the most painful since the October 7 massacre.” The article noted the widespread concern over the fate of the Bibas family and added: “Even after Yarden was freed in early February, after 484 days in captivity, the joy was overshadowed—aside from Hamas’ monsters, no one knew anything about the fate of his family.”
French newspaper Le Parisien placed the story at the top of its website, emphasizing that the family, kidnapped from Nir Oz, has become “a symbol of Israeli anguish since October 7.” The article also highlighted the harrowing footage from that day, in which Shiri is seen clutching Kfir and Ariel, surrounded by terrorists, her face filled with terror.
