World
January 16, 2025 10:57
tel aviv - The families of Israeli hostages are living between hope and fear as a deal with Hamas seems to be in the making. The question on everyone's mind is whether the hostages are still alive.
The two red-haired boys have been the face of the hostage drama for fifteen months. Kfir will turn two on Saturday, having spent more than half of his short life in the grip of Gaza. Ariel is five. Their parents are also being held captive.
Israeli media report that the children, along with their mother Shiri, are on the list of 33 hostages who will be released in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. However, Israel is uncertain about the status of these individuals. According to the agreement, Hamas will only need to disclose this information a week after the ceasefire takes effect.
Last November, Hamas claimed that the children and their mother were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but no evidence was ever provided. The father, Yarden, was shown in a video released by Hamas, where he was informed of his family's alleged death.
Despite the uncertainty, there is hope within the Bibas family and the nation. If the children are no longer alive, it will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the country. While there is some relief about the agreement, there is also a sense of cautious optimism.
The Bibas family released a statement: 'We are aware that all members of our family are included in the initial phases of the agreement, with Shiri and the children being among the first to be released. We have endured enough disappointment and therefore, the story will not end until our loved ones cross the border.'
Ofri Bibas, Yarden's sister, expressed her concerns in a newspaper, reflecting on the challenges faced by Kfir and Ariel during their captivity.
Many questions remain unanswered, adding to the anxiety for the families of the hostages. The agreement has not been finalized, and there are doubts about its sustainability. As per Israeli media, the first phase of releases will include women, female soldiers, men over fifty, and the injured. Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel are also included in this list, awaiting their fate.