Hundreds of demonstrators crowded Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Thursday to mark the first birthday of Kfir Bibas – desperately clinging to hope that the youngest hostage taken by Hamas might still be alive.
Members of Bibas’ family were joined by friends and supporters holding orange balloons for the ginger-haired infant printed with the words, “The saddest birthday in the world.”
Hamas previously claimed that the helpless baby was killed alongside his four-year-old brother and mother, without ever offering proof.
However, the rest of the family believes all three are still alive — which, if so, would mean that baby Bibas has spent about a quarter of his life in captivity.
During the birthday party, Shiri’s family read a letter from Ofri Bibas, Yarden’s sister, calling on Israel to help bring Kfir home and wondering how the infant is developing while in captivity, The Times of Israel reports.
“There’s so much we haven’t been able to do with you,” Ofri writes of her nephew. “Are you speaking any words? Are you walking? The biggest gift we could give you would be to bring you home.”
Shiri’s cousin, Yosi Shnaider, told the crowd in Tel Aviv that the one-year-old should be with his family and not in a dark tunnel in Gaza.
“They need to be released today, and we can’t forget them for one moment,” Shnaider said. “Enough with the sad faces! We need to scream to the skies that it’s our children and siblings and parents and grandparents there.”
The sorrowful demonstration in Tel Aviv comes a day after US House lawmakers held their own solemn candlelight vigil at the Capitol for Kfir and the rest of the hostages.
Kfir was the youngest of the 253 hostages taken by Hamas in the monstrous attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7.
The Bibas family was filmed taken from their home in Kibbutz Nir oz, and Kfir and his brother, Ariel, became known as “The Reds” and served as the symbol of the evil of that day.
Hamas later put out a cruel propaganda video featuring their dad, Yarden Bibas, sobbing as he claimed his wife, Shiri, 32, and their young kids were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
Hamas never offered any proof of the family’s fate, and the assertions were never verified by officials. The IDF has declined to comment on a probe accessing Hamas’ claim.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office estimates that around 132 hostages remain in Gaza, 27 of whom are believed to be dead.
Despite discussions with Qatari negotiators moving forward, there is still no sign that a new hostage exchange deal will be ready any time soon.