Nation unites in grief for Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, victims of Islamic terror. Many Israelis connect the bright and distinctive hair color to the color of the protestors of the Disengagement, a euphemism for the forcible expulsion and uprooting of Jewish life in Gaza.

In a profound display of national solidarity and sorrow, tens of thousands of Israelis lined the streets from Rishon LeZion to Kibbutz Nir Oz on Wednesday to honor the funeral procession of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. The family, abducted by Hamas terrorists during the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, were tragically murdered in captivity in Gaza.

The procession commenced in Rishon LeZion, with mourners clutching Israeli flags and orange balloons—a poignant tribute to the red-haired Bibas children. As the convoy passed through cities including Yavne, Ashdod, and Ashkelon, citizens stood in silence, many holding signs that simply read, “Sorry,” expressing collective grief and a sense of national responsibility. The route spanned over 60 kilometers, culminating at the Tsoher Cemetery near Kibbutz Nir Oz, where the family was laid to rest.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, large crowds gathered to watch the eulogies broadcast live. Many attendees wore orange and held balloons, while some children donned Batman costumes, reflecting four-year-old Ariel’s affection for the superhero. The atmosphere was one of deep mourning, unity, and a shared commitment to remember the innocent lives lost.

During the heartfelt eulogies, Yarden Bibas, the bereaved husband and father who was released from captivity earlier this month, addressed his late wife and children with profound emotion. He began by reminiscing about his wife, Shiri:

“Shiri, I love you and will always love you! Shiri, you are everything to me! You are the best wife and mother there could be. Shiri, you are my best friend.”

Turning his attention to his son, Ariel, Yarden expressed his deep sorrow:

“Ariel, I hope you’re not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you. I hope you know I thought about you every day, every minute.”

He also shared tender memories of his youngest, Kfir:

“Kfir, I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better, but I need you to know that I love you deeply and miss you terribly! I miss nibbling on you and hearing your laughter.”

The tragedy of the Bibas family has resonated deeply across Israel and the global Jewish community. Public landmarks, including the Knesset and Ben Gurion Airport, were illuminated in orange to honor their memory.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Latin America, hundreds gathered at the Israeli Embassy for a solemn vigil. Many wore orange ribbons and held signs with the words “Nunca Más” (“Never Again”), a phrase deeply ingrained in Argentine history from the era of military dictatorship but now repurposed to express solidarity with Israel. The Chief Rabbi of Argentina led prayers for the victims, and members of the community recited Psalms, standing in quiet contemplation as candles were lit in their memory.

Similar vigils took place in major cities worldwide. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit in orange, and a large gathering at Place du Trocadéro included speeches from Jewish and non-Jewish leaders calling for an end to the suffering of Israeli hostages and victims of terrorism. In London, a silent march proceeded from Trafalgar Square to the Israeli Embassy, with participants carrying enlarged photos of the Bibas children, their innocent faces now emblematic of the brutal inhumanity of their captors.

In New York, the Israeli Consulate hosted a candlelight vigil outside the United Nations headquarters, where representatives of Jewish organizations, local officials, and religious leaders paid their respects. Rabbi Shmuel Goldstein, himself a survivor of the October 7th massacre, addressed the crowd, saying, “We stand here not just to mourn, but to bear witness. The world must never forget what happened to this family.”

In Berlin, where the memory of the Holocaust looms heavily over Jewish life, a gathering at the Brandenburg Gate drew both Jewish and non-Jewish Berliners, including prominent politicians. They stood together in defiance of rising antisemitism, reaffirming their commitment to remembering the Bibas family and advocating for the safe return of all remaining hostages.

In Sydney, Australia, the Jewish community organized a memorial event at Bondi Beach, where hundreds wrote messages of condolence in the sand, later washed away by the tide—a symbolic gesture of both remembrance and the painful impermanence of life.

The image of the Bibas family has become an enduring symbol of the suffering inflicted upon Israel on October 7th. The sight of orange balloons floating in the sky has been adopted as a universal expression of mourning for the slain children, carried by mourners in Israel, Europe, and the Americas.

As the nation grieves, the collective outpouring of support serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and resilience. The memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas will forever remain etched in the hearts of those who stand against terror and uphold the sanctity of innocent life. And they symbolize the terrible losses that the Disengagement brought, and still brings, to Israel.