Yesterday, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to mark Ariel Bibas’ fifth birthday. For the past 304 days, Ariel had been held captive by Hamas, along with his father Yarden, mother Shiri, and younger brother Kfir.
The event began with a massive orange-themed march from Habima Square, with thousands of participants walking towards the Hostages Square. There, a birthday commemoration event took place, featuring speeches by family members and musical performances.
In their speech Ofri Bibas, aunt of Ariel Bibas and sister of Yarden Bibas said: “Two weeks ago, our Prime Minister flew to Washington, carrying Ariel’s drawing. Ariel had described his drawing to his kindergarten teacher: ‘I’m flying and rescuing people trapped in a pit.’
Every word in that sentence pierces my heart like a knife.
And I ask – who will rescue Ariel? Who will save Kfir, Shiri, Yarden, and the other 111 hostages?
I appeal to you, Prime Minister. Holding a picture is not enough! Their fate is in your hands! There’s a deal you’ve signed. Don’t add changes, don’t set new red lines. Don’t hesitate or delay – bring them home.
Luli, you’re a hero, just like Batman whom you love so much. My wish for you is that you’ll celebrate your next birthday. That you’ll get to be a big brother to Kfir, that you’ll hug your father again, and that your mother will be able to organize your 6th birthday party, as it should be.”
Dalit Ram Aharon, a close friend of Shiri Bibas, and a survivor of the Nir Oz massacre while talking said that: “I received the news of their abduction while my husband, children, and I were hiding in our safe room, praying that the terrorists in our house wouldn’t manage to open the door handle. During this time, hundreds of terrorists massacred our kibbutz, Nir Oz, and a quarter of our community was either kidnapped or murdered.
Since Ariel’s abduction, my daughter comes to me and says, “Mom, I have tears in my eyes. I miss Ariel. Why isn’t he coming back? Is he alive or dead?”.
In what world is it normal for 5-year-old children to wait for their friend who’s been held captive in Gaza and wonder if he’s alive or dead? It’s been 304 days since Ariel, Kfir, Shiri, and Yarden were kidnapped. Ariel and Kfir the last children left there – how is it possible they’re still there?
You’ve become a symbol of the inconceivable cruelty that occurred on October 7th. But for us, you’re not a symbol – you’re a family we love with all our hearts and miss beyond words! It’s time to sign a deal and bring the Bibas family and all the hostages home!”
Pnina Bibas, grandmother of Ariel Bibas and mother of Yarden Bibas, read a touching letter she wrote Ariel for his birthday: “Nine months have passed since you were taken from us by bad people. The world around us continues to turn, but time seems to have frozen without you. You’ve grown a year older, but there’s no celebration. I try to imagine the moment you’ll return to us. Will you still call me Grandma Nini?
My dear Luli, you’re so close yet so far away. I pray that soon we’ll receive the greatest gift – to hug you and the whole family again. One day, we’ll celebrate all the birthdays we’ve missed, together”.