Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that Shiri Bibas, H’yd,  who was abducted from her home on the kibbutz on October 7, 2023, along with her two young children, Ariel and Kfir, was brutally murdered in captivity.

The announcement came two days after Hamas transferred the body of a Gazan woman instead of Shiri along with the remains of her sons, H’yd. Hamas transferred another body on Friday night that was later identified as Shiri Bibas, H’Yd at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute.

According to Abu Kabir officials, Shiri, H’yd, was brutally murdered in November 2023, along with her two sons, whom the terrorists choked to death with their bare hands and then mutilated their bodies.

Dr. Chen Kugel, the head of Abu Kabir, spoke to the press on Motzei Shabbos, saying: “There is no evidence that Shiri Bibas was harmed by an IDF airstrike.” He added: “This is a difficult day for the family, the professionals, and all of Israel; we have encountered depths of wickedness and malice that we never imagined existed.”

Kibbutz Nir Oz stated that “Shiri, who was kidnapped at the age of 32, was born and raised in Nir Oz. For years she diligently cared for the kibbutz’s children as part of the education system and was beloved by all who knew her. In the past two years, she worked in the kibbutz’s accounting management, but above all, she was a devoted mother, who dedicated herself to parenting with endless love. Shiri, Yarden, Ariel, and Kfir loved their home in Nir Oz, the balcony, and the lawn, where they spent countless happy moments as a family and from which they were abducted on October 7.”

“Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silverman, H’yd, were murdered on that terrible day. Today, after 16 unbearable months, the painful circle has finally closed for the family, and in the coming days, she will return, along with her two young sons, to eternal rest in the land of Israel. Shiri leaves behind a husband, a sister, nephews, family, and loving friends who will always remember her for her smile, her kind heart, and the joy of life she spread wherever she went. May the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir be blessed.”

Her family stated, “Tonight our Shiri was brought home. We received the news we feared, that our Shiri was murdered while in captivity and is now back home with her sons, her husband, her sister, and all her family. Despite our fear for their fate, we continued to hope that we would be zocheh to embrace them and now we are in pain and broken.”

“We sought certainty for 16 months, and now there is no comfort in it, but we hope for the beginning of closure. Shiri was a wonderful mother to Ariel and Kfir, a loving partner to Yarden, a devoted sister and aunt, and an amazing friend. In this difficult hour, we continue to demand and call for the immediate return of the other hostages still in captivity. There is no goal more important than this. There will be no rehabilitation without them. Details of the shiva and levaya will be published later. Please give the family space to process and mourn. Thank you all for the support and love over these 16 months. If only Shiri would have been zocheh to see it.”

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)