'It's been over 300 days; at first we counted the hours, then the days; we've moved on to weeks and months, and we're approaching a year. We don't want to count the years. It is really hard to continue.'- a heartbreaking tone from Yossi Shnaider, uncle of Kfir Bibas, a red-headed boy who was nine months old when he was kidnapped from Nir Oz Kibbutz. Kfir's then-four-year-old brother Ariel, mother Shiri, and father Yarden were also kidnapped on October 7.
Since then, there is no single clue about the youngest hostage, Kfir, and his entire family. It seems these two little angels—Ariel and Kfir—have been struck in some dark tunnels—the brightest smile of Kfir, his red shining hair, Ariel's dream to become a hero like Batman—all stopped suddenly by a vicious terror.
Every minute is an eternity for the hostage family. They want their sunshine back. 'We don't have any information from our government; it's really frustrating; we don't know how they're doing; we don't know if they're together or separated; we don't know if they're getting the nutrition that is a must for their growth; we're really in a fog.'- criticizing Benjamin Netanyahu's failure to ensure hostage deal, Yossi adds.
Not only the Bibas boys, but no one has any idea how the 116 remaining hostages in Gaza are still alive.' This is a dark cloud that hovers over us, and we are deeply concerned, not only for the hostages' welfare but also that of their families and loved ones. We have been standing vigil with the hostages' families around the country. We maintain that a deal to return them all must be agreed upon immediately. There can be no return to our normal lives without it.'- Naama Barak Wolfman, a peace activist from Women Wages Peace, expresses concern over the fate of hundreds of hostages.
An evil surge of antisemitism is also causing immense pain to the victims and hostages families. According to the Anti-Defemination League (ADL), 7,523 antisemitic incidents occurred in the U.S. in 2023 compared to 3,697 in 2022. There is also a rise in antisemitic incidents in other countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Brazil, and Mexico. In total, 4,782 antisemitic incidents were recorded in Germany. France had 1,676 incidents last year, up significantly from the 436 recorded in 2022.
'I believe the rise in antisemitism is connected to the global rise of fundamentalism and extremist forces worldwide. We hope that the media—prone to the extreme—will choose to play an active role in bringing the moderate voice into focus.' Naama adds.
'It does not matter what your nationality or faith is. Any person, even one from Mars, should feel horror in front of these atrocities.' - Alex Bendersky, a senior journalist from the native land, denounces the scourge.
Bereaved families found planting hope amidst the ashes. On January 21, over a thousand people came together to plant trees in the exact place where hundreds of Nova Festival participants were killed. Around 1,000 people planted about 200 seedlings in the scorched earth of the Re'im parking lot. It is believed that 116 of the 251 hostages abducted on October 7 remain in Gaza, including the bodies of 39. Hamas released 105 civilians during a weeklong truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that. Seven hostages and the bodies of 24 hostages have been alive.
Survivors of supernova festivals and bereaved families are also taking part in peace activism. Chanting “yes, to peace,” a rally of hundreds of citizens of the Jewish country marched through Tel Aviv demanding a hostage deal and an end to the Gaza war. On the night of July 1st, the world witnessed a rare peace rally, 'March for Unity and Hope.' People gathered in Yad Eliyahu neighborhood to be a part of the country's largest peace conference since the war began.
Kfir and Ariel's home, grandparents, and the rest of the family members and their country are waiting for them. People around the world are waiting to see Kfir playing on his crib with his favorite pink elephant and Ariel running around with his Batman outfit. The ginger boys must thrive for life and freedom.
