On Tuesday, the Bibas family issued a heartfelt statement acknowledging reports that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are expected to be among the four bodies of deceased hostages scheduled for release on Thursday.

“In the last few hours, we have been overwhelmed with emotions following the announcement from the Hamas spokesperson regarding the anticipated return of our Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir this Thursday as part of the recovery process for the hostages’ remains.”

Despite the announcement, the family emphasized that they have not yet received official verification and stressed that their “journey is not over” until that confirmation is received.

They further requested that the media and the public honor their privacy and refrain from making inquiries about the situation.

This revelation surfaced after Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’s deputy head in Gaza, indicated that the organization would return the remains of four Israeli hostages on Thursday.

In addition, Hamas continues to hold six living hostages, who are expected to be freed in the upcoming phase. Their families have recently been apprised of their release scheduled for Saturday.

Yarden Bibas

Yarden Bibas, the father of the Bibas children and husband of Shiri, was liberated from captivity earlier this month, joining fellow hostages Ofer Kalderon and Keith Siegel.

A week post-release, Yarden addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging, “Bring my family back. Bring my friends back. Bring everyone home.”

He expressed, “My light is still there, and until they return, everything here remains in darkness. Thanks to your efforts, I was brought home—now, please help me bring light back into my life.”