Jarden Bibas's heartrending journey: A father's plea for help after a year in Hamas's clutches raises over 1.5 million euros
- Fundraising effort for Biba's hostage survivors surges to 1.5 million euros rapidly.
In the face of unspeakable tragedy, Jarden Bibas' father Eli has launched a fundraising appeal to help his son rebuild his life. Over a year ago, Jarden, along with his wife Shiri and their two young children, were abducted by the radical Islamic group Hamas during their attack on Israel.
Jarden, a husband and father, was snatched from the Kibbutz Nir Oz and transported to the Gaza Strip. His four-year-old and eight-and-a-half-month-old children, Kfir and Ariel, became the youngest hostages ever held by Islamist factions. Their small, innocent lives were symbols of Hamas's barbarism and that of its associates worldwide.
After months of distress, Jarden was finally released on February 1, 2024, thanks to a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, the heartache continued as the bodies of Shiri and the children were later returned to Israel. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain shrouded in mystery: Hamas claims they perished in an Israeli airstrike at the onset of the Gaza war, but Israel maintains that they were brutally murdered.
As Jarden grappled with the reality that he had lost everything – his family, his home, and all he held dear – his father urged the public for support. "Jarden is fighting to recover physically, morally, and financially, and we are here to help him," Eli Bibas wrote in the fundraising appeal.
Within a short period, over 1.5 million euros have been raised to aid Jarden in his recovery. But the struggle for justice continues as 58 hostages, including 58 taken on October 7, 2023, remain captive in the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli army reports, 34 of them are deceased.
As negotiations between Israel and Hamas for the release of the remaining hostages stall, the international community continues to push for a resolution. Qatar and the United States have been actively involved in the talks, with President Donald Trump's administration making efforts to find a peaceful end to the hostage crisis.
However, for the Bibas family, peace seems a distant dream. Jarden survives, left to navigate a world without the love and laughter of his wife and children. Their tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the suffering inflicted by radical groups like Hamas.
- Hamas
- Jarden Bibas' fundraising appeal
- Israel
- Children
- Kibbutz Nir Oz
- International Negotiations
- Gaza Strip
- Wife
- Jarden Bibas
- United States
- Qatar
Insights
As of February 2024, the status of hostages in the Gaza Strip held by Hamas is as follows:
- Number of Hostages: Approximately 59 hostages remain captive, with about half believed to be dead. These include 58 individuals abducted on October 7, 2023, and one captured earlier[2][4].
- Release Phases: The hostage deal between Israel and Hamas consists of three phases. The first phase, which has concluded, saw the release of 33 hostages – including women, children, and elderly individuals – in exchange for Palestinian prisoners[3][4]. The second phase, yet to commence, is expected to involve the release of male Israeli soldiers and the bodies of deceased hostages in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners and a full Israeli troop withdrawal[3].
- Recent Developments: In late February 2024, Hamas returned the remains of four more Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of the truce[2]. However, talks for the second phase have hit an impasse, with Israel insisting that all living hostages be released before further negotiations take place[1][5].
- International Involvement: Qatar and the United States have been involved in negotiations between Israel and Hamas. President Donald Trump’s administration has been actively working to resolve the hostage crisis[4][5].
The international community, led by Qatar and the United States, are actively involved in the negotiations for the release of the 59 hostages, including 58 taken on October 7, 2023, who are still captive in the Gaza Strip, with 34 reportedly deceased according to Israeli army reports. Jarden Bibas, a father from Kibbutz Nir Oz who was held captive by Hamas for over a year, launched a fundraising appeal to aid in his recovery. Meanwhile, Hamas continues to hold Jarden's family members, causing a heartrending tragedy for Jarden and the Israeli nation, as they seek justice for the barbaric actions of this radical group.
