Here Lived
This is the home of the Bibas family – Yarden, Shiri, and their sweet children, Ariel and Kfir.
Yarden, by then 35 years old, was born and raised in Kibbutz Tze’elim. A sensitive, caring man, with a wide smile and kind eyes, he always looks after his family and makes everyone laugh. He enjoys listening to music and stand-up shows. He worked as a welder in Ashkelon and loves to create, learn, and improve his skills with new techniques.
He came to Nir Oz following his love, Shiri.
Shiri, 32, was born in Kibbutz Kramim and when she was few months old her family moved to Kibbutz Nir Oz. She was the daughter of Margit and Yossi z”l, who were murdered in their home on October 7, and the younger sister to Dana.
She worked as a bookkeeper, but for many years worked in Nir Oz’s education system, devotedly caring for the kibbutz’s children. Shiri was loved by all – young and adult alike.
Shiri’s kindness and smile were extremely characteristic of her, and she immediately captured people’s hearts through her generosity and love for others. Loving, sensitive, nurturing, calming, always caring for everyone.
Shiri and Yarden met through mutual friends, the twins Eitan and David Kunio, Yarden’s best friends since first grade and Shiri’s neighbors for most of her childhood.
They married, and a year later, in August 2019, their firstborn son, Ariel, was born. In January 2023, his younger brother Kfir joined the family.
A month after Ariel was born, Shiri and Yarden returned to the kibbutz. Together, they devoted themselves to parenthood, family, and community life. Kibbutz-born and deeply connected to the kibbutz way of life, they couldn’t imagine raising their children anywhere else, as part of the community, among the trees and wide paths. They loved taking the children on walks, going on Saturday picnics, and simply lounging on the lawn near their home or at the kibbutz pool.
Ariel, age 4, grew up in Nir Oz, a cheerful, mischievous child, a real redhead (gingi). He loved superheroes, gardening, tractors, and cars, and he especially loved climbing and jumping. A good friend, a child full of light and love.
Kfir, 9 months old, was a beloved baby. Always calm and smiling, he happily reached out to anyone who held him. With his red hair and heart-melting laughter, he instantly captured everyone’s hearts.
The family also lived with their dog, Tony.
October 7th
On October 7, at 9:43 a.m., the first wave of terrorists broke into the family’s home. After a gunfight between the terrorists and Yarden, Yarden was abducted. Shiri and the children remained in the safe room. The terrorists shot and killed Tony, the dog.
Several minutes later, a second wave of terrorists arrived and abducted Shiri, Ariel (4), and Kfir, only nine months old. Images of their abduction spread across social media and shocked the world.
What Happened Since
Since late November 2023, there was uncertainty regarding the fate of Shiri and the children, after Hamas claimed they had been killed in captivity.
Yarden was released in February 2025, as part of a hostage deal, after being held captive in Hamas tunnels for 484 days.
Approximately three weeks later, it was confirmed that Shiri and the children, Ariel and Kfir, had been murdered about a month after their abduction.
They were returned to Israel and laid to rest on February 26, 2025. May their memory be blessed.
The memorial website established in their honor: www.rememberbibas.com
