Tens of thousands of Israelis early Wednesday morning joined the levaya of Shiri Bibas, H’yd and her young sons Ariel, Hyd, and Kfir, H’yd, who were finally brought to Kever Yisrael after being brutally murdered in captivity in Gaza in November 2023.

The levaya began at 7:45 a.m. at the Chevra Kadisha in Rishon L’Tzion and stopped at intersections along the route to the Tzohar Beit Kevarot, near the Bibas’ home in Nir Oz, where the kevurah took place.

The Bibas family and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum called on Am Yisrael to join the procession by standing on the streets with Israeli flags to accompany the kedoshim on their final journey.

The Bibas family stated on Wednesday morning: “We began the levaya accompanied by the masses of Am Yisrael. We see and hear you. We are moved and strengthened by you. Yarden conveys that he apologizes for not being able to come down and give a hug to each and every one of you. We long for the day when we can once again celebrate in moments of joy and not of sadness.”

The levaya reached the Tzohar Beit Kevarot before noon. The kevurah took place with only family and close friends present. But at the request of the family, the hespedim were broadcast live to Hostages’ Square in Tel Aviv, where thousands had gathered to pay their respects.

Yarden’s tearful hesped for his wife and children:

The Knesset was illuminated in orange on Tuesday in honor of the kedoshim. On Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana opened the plenary session with a moment of silence in memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, H’yd, and Oded Lifshitz, H’yd, and in memory of all those murdered since the October 7 massacre and the soldiers who fell in the ensuing wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)