The family of an Israeli hostage held by Hamas recounted the grief they felt over the loss of their relatives. Ofri Bibas Levy, the brother-in-law of the hostage Hamas named Shiri Bibas, expressed that they never stopped hoping to see their sister-in-law and her two children return alive.

“I ask you not to eulogise my family yet,” Ofri Bibas Levy posted on Facebook, as quoted by Reuters. “We have been hoping for 16 months and we will not give up hope now.”

Shiri Bibas, together with her husband and their two young children, Ariel, 4 years old, and Kfir, 9 months old, were held captive by Hamas during an attack on October 7, 2025, in the kibbutz of Nir Oz. They were then taken to Gaza by Hamas.

Several photos of Shiri Bibas holding her child and surrounded by Hamas members circulated on social media shortly after she was abducted. Ariel and Kfir’s toys were still scattered in the Bibas family’s home.

Meanwhile, the front door of the family’s house was covered with posters of the four Bibas family members held captive by Hamas.

Shiri Bibas and her two children have been confirmed by Hamas to be deceased. They were killed as a result of an Israeli attack in Gaza in November 2023. Kfir and Ariel are recorded as the youngest hostages of Hamas.

Yarden Bibas, Shiri Bibas’ husband, was released on February 1 as part of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire. The ceasefire was implemented since January 19, 2025.

The ceasefire agreement aimed to halt the Israeli actions that have resulted in nearly 48,300 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction in the region.

Hamas released the hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel also agreed to ease restrictions on aid entering Gaza.

In November of the previous year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its actions in the enclave.