Hamas released a propaganda video about the Bibas family. Video shows Aden Bibas alive.
All four members of Bibas Yarden’s family, his wife Shiri and their 4-year-old son Ariel and baby Kfir, were abducted to Gaza on October 7, but Yarden was abducted separately from the rest of the family. Hamas yesterday made unsubstantiated claims that Shiri, Ariel and Kofer were killed in Israeli bombings; the IDF said it was investigating the “brutal” allegation.
The Israeli army said on Wednesday it had informed the family of a mother and two young children who were abducted to Gaza and that it was investigating Hamas’ claims that the three were killed as “cruel and inhumane”.
A statement from Hamas’ military wing said Shiri Bibas, 32, and her children Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 10 months, were fighting in the Gaza war Killed in an Israeli attack during the period. There was no word on when that would happen, but the fighting has been quiet since November 24.
Gaza terror groups have made such accusations against hostages in the past as part of a psychological warfare campaign.
“The terrorist organization Hamas continues to act in a cruel and inhumane manner,” the Israel Defense Forces said.
The military stressed that Hamas is responsible for the safety of all hostages held in the Gaza Strip, including those held by other groups.
War cabinet minister Benny Gantz, who happened to meet with members of the Bibas family when Hamas made the claim, said late Wednesday he did not know whether it was true or psychological warfare. He said the claim was “not substantiated”. “We will continue to gather information and other leads” to determine the truth.
On October 7, Hamas terrorists rampaged through southern Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages. Three family members, Shiri’s husband and the father of two boys, 34-year-old Yarden Bibas, were in Nir. Oz kibbutz kidnapped.
