Footage from security cameras in the area of Khan Yunis showing the kidnapping of the Bibas family. Published by the IDF February 19, 2024. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit).
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The family was told that the video was found in a tunnel or in a hiding place.
The IDF presented on Monday a security video showing Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel (4) and Kfir (1) alive in captivity in Gaza back in October.
Later, at a press briefing, IDF Spokesman Rear-Admiral Daniel Hagari explained that, on October 7, Shiri was kidnapped with her children by terrorists and brought to an outpost in Khan Yunis, where they were detained by a terror group by the name of Kataib Mujahadin. At some later point, the Bibas family became the responsibility of Hamas, who had overall responsibility for the invasion from the start.
The video shows Shiri, clearly extremely distressed, being forced by armed terrorists to wear a piece of cloth with Kfir probably attached in a sling under the cloth, with Ariel following her.
It appeared that the terror group was trying to use these coverings to better obscure the hostages’ identities. Next, the terrorists forced Shiri and her children into a vehicle that took them to a different location.
The time-stamp on the video is October 7 and shows they reached Khan Yunis alive.
“From the information available to us, we are concerned for the safety of Shiri and the children, and we will not rest until we bring them home,” the spokesman added.
The Bibas family’s relatives in Israel were told that the video was found in a tunnel or a hiding place, N12 reported.
Family responds on the video
Following Hagari’s press briefing, the family said in a statement, “These videos tear our hearts out. Witnessing Shiri, Yarden, Ariel and Kfir, ripped away from their home in Nir Oz into this hellscape, feels unbearable and inhumane.
“Kidnapping children is a crime against humanity and a war crime. Ariel and Kfir are victims of monstrous evil. Our whole family has become hostages along with all the hostages.
“We desperately call on all decision makers in Israel and worldwide involved in negotiations: Bring them home immediately. Make it clear to Hamas that taking children is beyond the pale. Prioritize the return of these children first and foremost in any agreement,” the statement added.
“We want to thank the public in Israel and worldwide who support us, and ask you to continue the struggle for their return home,” it concluded.
Jimmy Miller, a family member, told Israeli news outlet Ynet, “This video has not changed anything and does not indicate anything new. A total of photographs from the first days – it does not indicate anything. We are hoping that they will return to us as soon as possible and that the government will do everything possible.”
“These two children and their parents were supposed to be released during the first stage of the November ceasefire, and while this did not happen, the minimum would have been for them to be released in a humanitarian gesture. We are already expecting everything, the best and the worst,” he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in response to the video, “The video where we see the Bibas family in Gaza hurts and reminds us who we are dealing with – cruel baby kidnappers. We will settle the accounts with them.”
Turning to English, he then added:
“We will bring these kidnappers of babies and mothers to justice. They won’t get away with it.”
Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X, “There are no words to describe the monsters that kidnapped the Bibas family. You will never know rest.
“Everyone in the video, I promise – you will not grow old. All your life you will look up and be afraid of the missile that will come. Every hum could be a UAV that will end your life. Every engine noise might bring with it the fighters who will eliminate you. Your death is on the way.”
