WATCH: Hostage Yarden Bibas reunites with some of his family
Yarden Bibas' release is another step in the broader hostage deal, though for the Bibas family and many others, the journey remains painfully incomplete.





In a moment of both triumph and heartache, Yarden Bibas, 35, walked to freedom today after spending 484 days in Hamas captivity. His release, part of the ongoing hostage deal, brings into sharp focus the complex emotions surrounding the return of those still separated from their loved ones.
Bibas emerged in Khan Younis, Gaza, where Hamas handlers transferred him to Red Cross officials in what observers noted was a more controlled handover than previous releases. Despite his ordeal, he managed a brief wave to onlookers before being whisked away in a Red Cross vehicle.
Yet behind this moment of liberation lies an unbearable weight: Bibas's wife Shiri and their two young children, Ariel and Kfir, remain in captivity. Israeli officials have expressed "grave concern" for their fate, with no new information about their condition since the announcement of the release deal.
"Please help protect Yarden's soul," his family pleaded in a statement, acknowledging the "unbearable reality" he faces upon return – freedom without his family. They called for privacy during what they described as "very complex days ahead."
The family's story has particularly resonated with the public since October 7, 2023, when all four were taken captive. Their case highlights the ongoing trauma faced by families of the hostages, where celebration of returns is often tempered by continued anguish over those still held.
As Bibas begins his journey of recovery, supported by medical professionals and surrounded by grateful citizens who have followed his story, his family's statement struck a note of gratitude amid their ongoing ordeal, thanking both the Israeli public and the IDF for their unwavering support.