Yarden Bibas, whose family was murdered in Gaza captivity, joins 'October Council', calls for state inquiry into Oct 7 massacre

On Monday, released hostage Yarden Bibas, whose family was murdered in captivity in Gaza, joined a group representing hostages and families of those killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion of southern Israel, in calling for a state commission of inquiry into the disaster. 

Bibas joined a group called the October Council, which says it represents 1,500 families of Israelis killed or captured during the tragic events. 

The announcement by Bibas that he had joined the October Council came amidst a stormy debate at the Knesset, when families of those killed and hostage families attempted to enter the Knesset’s gallery, before being turned away. 

The families had come to watch a debate in the Knesset over the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, which is not supported by many coalition members. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to reject forming a state commission of inquiry into the events and failures of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Under Israeli law, a state commission of inquiry enjoys the broadest powers to investigate the failures related to the deadly Hamas attack. Netanyahu has stated that the time is not right for establishing the inquiry, citing the ongoing condition of war. 

Following the Yom Kippur War, a state commission of inquiry was established to investigate the failures which led to Israel being surprised by the surrounding Arab nations who attacked on Judaism’s holiest day. 

“We, the families of the hostages, demand that the Israeli government immediately establish a state commission of inquiry to thoroughly and comprehensively investigate with full transparency, including the management of the negotiations for the return of our loved ones,” the families said in a statement. 

“Only a state commission of inquiry can provide us with answers, offer some solace to our souls, and prevent the next disaster. The failure to establish such a commission and draw lessons would mean harming the security of the state,” they said.

At the Knesset, MK Chili Tropper read a letter written by Bibas to Prime Minister Netanyahu asking him to establish the inquiry. 

In the letter, Bibas also made a personal invitation to Netanyahu to come with him to visit the community of Nahal Oz, where Yarden and his family were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and Gaza residents who entered the community that October morning. 

"We are committed to immediately returning our brothers, including my best friend David Kunio and his brother Ariel. David, my friend from first grade, my neighbor from the kibbutz, who rots in the Hamas tunnels,” Yarden wrote. 

“I know that I will no longer be able to hug my children and wife. But Emma and Yuli - David's daughters, who were themselves kidnapped to Gaza when they were only 3 years old, are waiting to hug him. Sharon, his wife deserves to hug him,” the letter continued. 

He invited Netanyahu to establish the commission for the good of the nation. 

"You and your government have not yet taken responsibility,” Bibas noted. “So many citizens ask for forgiveness. So few politicians ask for forgiveness. So many citizens and fighters take responsibility. So few members of the government take responsibility. 83% of Israeli citizens demand a state commission of inquiry, along with 1,500 families of the October Council and myself among them. Its purpose is not personal persecution, but drawing lessons to prevent the next disaster.” 

Bibas said the regret of not doing more for his family “eats me up inside,” asking Netanyahu if he feels the same. 

"I constantly think and regret that I did not protect my wife and children better. It eats me up inside. I only had a gun and I am a simple citizen on a quiet kibbutz,” he wrote. "Do you think about this? Do you also have difficulty getting through a day and night without a heavy sense of responsibility for what happened?” 

“I am turning to you, Mr. Prime Minister, I have not yet entered my house in Nir Oz and I do not know what awaits me inside. I ask you to come with me, to join me for the first time since October 7. I ask that we do this together. If we do not look the disaster in the eye, we will not be able to recover.” 

When the October Council was formed in November 2024, the families involved emphasized that it is not a political organization. 

“All we ask is to know. Just to know. What happened, how it happened, why it happened, and how to prevent the next disaster, and this for the sake of the next generation. History will not forgive those who procrastinate, evade, and cover up. We demand a state inquiry committee, as stipulated by law, to thoroughly and meticulously investigate the failure and the disaster. There is no political stance being expressed here. There are people here from the right, the left, the center, from across the political spectrum,” the group said at the time.