Youngest Israeli hostage held in Gaza turns one in captivity
Between nine and 12 months old, babies learn to stand, say their first word and maybe take their first steps.
As the family of Kfir Bibas, the youngest Israeli held in captivity in Gaza, celebrated his first birthday without him, they wondered which, if any, of the typical milestones they missed during those three months of his life.
“They’re supposed to see a lot of colours, but instead he’s seeing just darkness,” said Yosi Shnaider, a cousin.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“He’s supposed to be learning to walk but he has nowhere to do it.
“He’s supposed to be able to hold a spoon for the first time - he’s supposed to be tasting so many different foods for the first time.”
Kfir, brother Ariel and parents Shiri and Yarden Bibas were kidnapped on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1200 people and taking about 250 hostage.
On Thursday in Tel Aviv, hundreds of people gathered for what Shnaider called “the saddest birthday in the world”.
The infant with red hair and a toothless smile has become a symbol across Israel for the helplessness and anger over the 136 hostages still in captivity in Gaza.
On Thursday, many people wore orange, a colour inspired by Kfir and Ariel’s hair.
They marked Kfir’s first year with performances by Israeli children’s music stars, who wrote a song in his honour, and released orange balloons inscribed with birthday wishes.
Since video emerged shortly after the attack showing the brothers swaddled in a blanket around their terrified mother with gunmen surrounding her, orange has come to represent the family across Israel.
In Davos, Switzerland, Israeli President Isaac Herzog displayed a photo of a smiling baby Kfir as he addressed the World Economic Forum.
And earlier in the week, at the family’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, relatives used orange balloons on the wall to cover bullet holes and spattered blood from the attack and filled his nursery school classroom with birthday decorations.
Kfir was the youngest of about 30 children taken hostage on October 7.
Since the Hamas attack sparked war, more than 24,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza, and some 85 per cent of the narrow coastal territory’s 2.3 million people have fled their homes.
Under a week-long temporary cease-fire in November, Hamas released 105 hostages — including foreign workers, women, children and teens — but Shiri Bibas and her sons were not among them.
Yarden Bibas, who was taken captive separately, appears in photos to have been wounded during the abduction.
Hamas claimed several weeks ago, without presenting evidence, that Shiri Bibas and her sons were killed in an Israeli air strike.
The Israeli military has said it has not verified the claim.
Since the November releases, some freed hostages have been speaking out, hoping to pressure the government into reaching another deal.
The Bibas family’s relatives have also pleaded with the Israeli government and international leaders to come to an agreement that would allow for the release of more hostages.
“There’s two children being held over there against all of the laws of wars, and the world doesn’t say anything,” Shnaider said.
“Where are all the leaders of the modern world?
“We need a deal - we need to free all 136 hostages, without exceptions.”
