February 20, 2025 — New York, NY
Following today's return of Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz, all murdered while in terrorist captivity in Gaza, American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns with the families and all of Israel. AJC also anxiously awaits the return of Ariel and Kfir’s mother, Shiri, and the planned release of six living hostages on Saturday.
“It is impossible to describe the overwhelming grief, anger, and relief that comes with these murdered hostages finally returning home to their loved ones and the shock of learning that Shiri Bibas is still not home,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “What should have been long-awaited, joyous reunions have instead become moments of heartbreak, as families now face the unimaginable task of planning funerals.
“Especially gut wrenching for so many of us is not only the brutal murders of Shiri and Yarden Bibas’s beautiful boys, Ariel and Kfir, but Hamas’ cruel and downright barbaric return of a body that they claimed to be their mother. Their murder, and this added violation of the hostage agreement, is just another horrific example of the unimaginable cruelty that Hamas has inflicted since October 7, 2023. The terror organization’s refusal to confirm their fate for so long was a deliberate act of psychological torture — not only against the Bibas family and their loved ones, but all of Israel and the global Jewish community.
“Our hearts are with all those who loved Ariel, Kfir, and Oded and all those they loved. We are thinking especially of Yarden Bibas, who was just released from Gaza only to sit shiva for his children as he waits in agony for terrorists to release his wife.
“Hamas has repeatedly shown the world who they truly are—agents of hate and terror. Their cruelty and callousness was on full display today – this morning at the grotesque rally they held parading the bodies of children in front of anti-Jewish, anti-Israel propaganda and now tonight, as we learn of their horrific attempted deception. They must be held fully accountable for their actions.”
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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