The world reacted with shock and severe condemnations following the revelation of the murder of Kfir and Ariel Bibas in Hamas captivity. and the violation of the agreement by returning a body that did not belong to their mother Shiri Bibas.
Leaders, diplomats, and political figures in the United States and at the United Nations have called for the exposure of Hamas’s crimes and for increased pressure on the organization.
“The Murder of Children in Captivity – There Is No Greater Horror”
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the murder of the children during an interview with U.S. media, noting that even the interviewer, Chris Cuomo, struggled to comprehend the cruelty.
Bennet posted on his X account: “The cruel truth is that the majority of the Palestinian public wants to destroy us and our children. We saw this on 7/10. We also saw this in the “ceremony” of the Sabbath of the Fallen. We must internalize this. We will overcome because we are a strong people.”
Watch Naftali Bennet Interviewed by Chris Cuomo:
״המחבלים רצחו באכזריות את אריאל וכפיר ביבס.
הציבור העזתי ברובו רוצה בהשמדת ילדיי ועמי.
זו האמת.״ pic.twitter.com/CaY3Ozxoxm— Naftali Bennett נפתלי בנט (@naftalibennett) February 21, 2025
“Hamas Will Face Complete Annihilation”
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler harshly criticized Hamas in an interview with CNN: “Hamas’s decision to deliver a body that does not belong to the hostage is shocking and constitutes a blatant violation of the agreement. Hamas must release all hostages – otherwise, it will face complete annihilation.”
שליח הנשיא טראמפ לענייני חטופים אדם בוהלר על האירוע המזעזע עם שירי ביבס pic.twitter.com/ob9ovlvjkr
— הרדאר The Radar (@haradar10) February 21, 2025
“Unprecedented Barbarism”
Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, condemned Hamas for its actions: “Hamas’s actions today represent a severe violation of the ceasefire. However, no one should be surprised – these are barbaric and corrupt people. We will not rest until our hostages are freed and Hamas is destroyed,” he said.
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, also expressed deep shock: “There are no words to describe such horror. Hamas not only murdered in cold blood a ten-month-old baby and a four-year-old child but also continues to desecrate every basic moral value. This marks a new peak of unparalleled evil.”
Danon called on the United Nations to take action: “The UN Secretary-General, the Security Council, and the General Assembly cannot remain silent. History will remember well who stood idly by.”
Condemnation of the Murder, but Not the Breach of the Agreement
In response, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Hamas’s horrific conduct: “Under international law, the transfer of remains must be conducted with respect for the deceased and their families.”
However, Guterres refrained from addressing Hamas’s breach of the agreement and the delivery of an unidentified body instead of Shiri Bibas’s remains.
The revelation of the Bibas children’s murder has sparked global outrage and deepened calls for accountability. As condemnation grows, pressure mounts on Hamas to release all remaining hostages and face the consequences of its actions.
