Israeli hostages set to be released from ‘hell’ after 15 months in Hamas captivity
TEL AVIV — Less than 24 hours before the first hostages are slated to be freed from 15 months of Hamas captivity, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square Saturday to continue pushing for all 98 captives to be released by the terror organization.
“The first three freed people get out of hell and finally return home,” said Lior Ashkenazi, an Israeli actor who hosts weekly protests for the hostages at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art plaza.
Among a sea of raised posters showing the faces of those kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, orange balloons were released to mark the second birthday of Kfir Bibas, Hamas’ youngest victim in captivity.
Known for his shock of bright orange hair, the tot, his parents Shiri and Yarden and brother Ariel, 5, were ripped from the bucolic Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Their abduction captivated the world as Hamas terrorists were seen on video wrapping a blanket around Shiri and her children — who were cradled in her arms — before taking them.
A symbol of Hamas’ brutal campaign of taking the most innocent on Oct. 7, there has been no sign of life from Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel while in captivity.
“Today, I tried to write a birthday message for Kfir for his second birthday,” Yarden’s sister, Ofri Levy Bibas, said in remarks that moved the crowd to tears.
“A message for a child who cannot celebrate, a child who isn’t here, a child trapped in hell, a child who might not even be alive … but no words came out, only tears.”
All four members of the Bibas family in captivity are named on the 33-person list set to be released in the first phase of the cease-fire hostage deal, which is agreed upon by both Israel and Hamas.
The 42-day-long first phase of the deal is set to go into effect at 8:30 a.m local time Sunday, Qatari officials announced earlier Saturday.
Three desperate families are in the wait of their lives to see if their daughters will be among those named — but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday Hamas was already violating the agreement by not handing over the list of hostages who will be released during the first phase.
“We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as we agreed,” Netanyahu said.
“Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement.”
Although the names of hostages for phases two and three have not been set yet, anguished families continue to fight to get their loved ones back.
“My hero, you were the first to go into battle, and you were supposed to be at the top of the list,” said Anat Angrest, the mother of Matan Angrest, 22.
“But you are not even included on the list.”
Angrest was a soldier serving on Oct. 7 when Hamas dragged him and the bodies of two other soldiers — including Israeli American Itay Chen — from their tank into Gaza.
Chen’s body is still being held in Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
Seven Americans are still in Hamas captivity, including three who are presumed alive: Sagui Dekel-Chen, Edan Alexander and Keith Siegel. Dekel-Chen and Siegel are on the list to be released in the first phase of the high-stakes deal.
The hostages’ families praised the work of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration after his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff implored Netanyahu to accept the deal.
“Thank you, President Trump, for making this deal possible. My son Matan will not be released in the first phase, but I am hopeful,” Anat Angrest said.
“I believe in your power to do as you promised. Save my son and all other 97 hostages.”
Loved ones continue to push the Israeli government to ensure there is a plan for all remaining hostages to be released — including the transfer of bodies still held by Hamas — so they can have a proper burial in Israel.
Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the cease-fire agreement.
