Global outpouring of grief: Int'l news media covers Bibas family in their pain

Pain knows no borders. As the Bibas family mourns in Israel, the world feels the weight of their loss and shares the burden of their sorrow and grief.

The story of the two beloved red-headed children – Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months) – who Shiri Bibas (32) held in her arms as Hamas kidnapped them all to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, has gripped all Israelis and millions of others around the world who had hoped for a different outcome than the one apparently received today.

News organizations from around the world have covered this well-known family and expressed the tragedy of the news that shook the world when it was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Israel on Wednesday that Hamas would be releasing the remains of the Bibas family members today (Thursday) morning.

The following is a representation of how this beloved Israeli family has been covered in the news from around the globe this week:

In the United States, the Washington Post reported that Yarden Bibas – recently released from Hamas captivity on Feb.1 – and family and friends were trying to remain positive as they urgently requested that the Israeli government provide them with more information about the fate of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir. The world came to a grinding halt as Israel confirmed the status of the remaining family members still being held in Gaza.

The Post covered the story of the kidnapping of Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, highlighting how they became symbols of the abductees in Israel. The article noted, "Last month, protesters dressed in orange carried orange balloons – the color of the Bibas children's hair – during a rally in Tel Aviv to commemorate [what would have been] Kfir's second birthday."

New York based The Wall Street Journal referred to Kfir and Ariel Bibas in the headline of an article, stating: "The [Bibas'] Red-Haired Children, the Youngest Kidnapped in Gaza - Are Not Returning Home Alive." The Journal later wrote that "Israeli citizens clung to the hope that the [Bibas] children and their mother were alive, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”

Located in Atlanta Georgia, Cable News Network (CNN) mentioned the uproar surrounding the publication of the names of the deceased hostages who would released, which, as we now know, included the names of the remaining Bibas family members, without the permission of the family.

CNN reported that Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas shared on her Facebook account that "An entire country has become casualty officers and is knocking on our door. Shame." The IDF apologized for the "human error" that caused this widespread news without going through the proper channels.

They included in their report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying that "his heart was torn by the release of the deceased hostages." CNN also quoted that the headquarters of The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated: “69 more hostages will remain in Hamas captivity after the release, and that negotiations for their release should be expedited.”

On the other side of the Atlantic and headquartered in London, England, The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) wrote, "Although Shiri and the children were not officially recognized in Israel as martyrs – mourning erupted throughout Israel upon the arrival of Hamas's announcement,” referring to the news shared on Wednesday.

Israel's Ambassador to Russia, Simona Halperin, criticized coverage by the Russian RT network, after a post on X showed a picture of Hamas terrorists carrying coffins "including young children 'killed by war criminal Netanyahu'," according to the network.

"Whoever wrote the false and distorted tweet for RT demonstrated not only a lack of professionalism, but also antisemitism and pure malice," Halperin responded.

"This should be totally rejected by anyone with a human heart. We expect Russian media RT will take immediate action to rectify the damage caused to their reputation by this tweet.

Additionally, as Kfir and Ariel Bibas held Israeli and Argentinian citizenship, it was announced by Argentine President Javier Milei that he plans to declare a National Day of Mourning for the two youngest hostages taken into captivity.

This was reported by the president of the Argentine Human Rights Commission, Sabrina Ajmecht, who wrote on the 𝕏 network, "Two Argentine babies were murdered because of Hamas terrorism." The Argentine president also shared photos of the Bibas family.

While more will be covered by international news outlets, Israeli media has decided to respect the wishes of the Bibas family and not publish the ceremony orchestrated by Hamas showcasing their propaganda messages in the midst of their pain and heartache.