Yarden Bibasa 35 -year -old Argentine citizen, He regained his freedom last Saturday after more than 16 months of captivity. Was released in the Gaza Stripwhere the group Hamas He kept him kidnapped since October 7, 2023, when he attacked the Kibutz Nir Oznear the border with the Palestinian terrain.
This Friday, the 35 -year -old made statements by means To my loved ones. They told me everything they did for us and the word ‘thanks’ is not enough to express my gratitude. To the soldiers of the Israel defense forces, in one sentence: you are heroes, each of you. Thank you”.
“On October 7, 2023, I was kidnapped in Israel. On February 1, 2025, I returned to a different country. I knew that the people of Israel joined in disaster times, but I never imagined to what extent, “said Bibas, who desperately asked Prime Minister Benjamín Netanyahu to do everything possible so that his wife and two children return to his house , as well as the 79 remaining people who remain under the command of Hamas.
In that sense, he said: “They are still there. My light is still there and, while they are still there, everything here will remain dark. Thanks to you, I was rescued; Help me bring back my life. There are still 79 hostages, including one of my best friends. They have families, wives, children and friends who await them at home. Let’s keep doing everything possible so that everyone returns. Please do not stop and continue the fight to bring them back. One last order: let’s not wait for the next disaster to be united. Union is our strength“
“Netanyahu Prime Minister, now I address you with my own words, that nobody dictated to me: return me to my family, return me to my friends, bring everyone back home,” he culminated.
The kidnapping of Bibas at the hands of Hamas
The Kibutz Nir Oz attack was devastating, since its 400 residents, 120 were kidnapped or killed. Images of the kidnapping of the Bibas family went viral on social networks due to a video recorded by the attackers themselves, which shows Shiri with her two children, surrounded by armed men.
That recording is cut abruptly after showing the Women’s despair from whom the whereabouts are still unknown, although they continue to demand their Immediate release. In addition, his family’s home was marked by violence of the attack. Inside, shattered walls, abandoned toys and a children’s bicycle illustrate the horror lived that day.
Yarden’s kidnapping was especially brutal, so much that although it was armed at the time of the attack, He failed to defend himself and was captured. The terrorists rose him to a motorcycle and hit him while they transferred him to Gaza.
For their part, the IDF denounced that Hamas uses “psychological terror” strategiesforcing hostages to record videos under coercionand insisted that the true situation of the kidnapped is still uncertain.
His release occurred within the framework of a High Fire Agreement established on January 15, through which Hamas promised to Liberate women, children and injured or sick people In different phases.
However, Yarden’s release is tarnished by the Uncertainty about his wife’s whereabouts, Shiri, and his two children, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2. Kidnapped with him in Nir Oz, they continue missing, and the Israeli government already expressed his “deep concern” for its destiny.
After being rescued, Bibas was helicopter transferred from a military base On the border with Gaza to a hospital in the center of Israel, according to the authorities. His situation attracted great attention from the moment of his capture, especially when the Qassam brigades, Hamas’ armed arm, disseminated a video in which he is visibly affected, crying and blaming the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahufor the death of his family. He also urged the government to reach an agreement to recover the bodies of their loved ones.
Source: Ambito
