Hamas terrorist who abducted Yarden Bibas killed
Ex-hostage praises IDF strike but says true closure only possible when friends and remaining captives return home
A Hamas terrorist who took part in the kidnapping of former hostage Yarden Bibas on 7 October has been killed in Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces and Shin Bet have confirmed.
The militant, named as Jihad Kamal Salem Najjar, was among the cell that invaded Kibbutz Nir Oz and dragged Bibas across the border. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike on 10 August.
Reacting to the announcement, Bibas said the death brought “a small part” of closure. “Thanks to you, he will be unable to hurt anyone else,” he said, while stressing that true justice would only come with the release of the remaining hostages.
Bibas, 35, was freed on 1 February this year under the second ceasefire deal with Hamas. His wife, Shiri, 32, and their two children – Ariel, 4, and Kfir, just 10 months – were seized by the Mujahideen Brigades and later murdered in captivity. Their bodies were returned as part of the same deal. An Israeli autopsy found they had been killed by Hamas guards weeks after their abduction.
Since returning, Bibas has campaigned relentlessly for international pressure on Hamas, meeting both Israeli and US leaders to demand action. He has spoken repeatedly about his closest friends, twins David and Ariel Cunio, who remain in Gaza.
Of the 49 hostages still believed to be alive in captivity, Israeli authorities say 28 are now confirmed dead.
Bibas also revealed that during his captivity he came face-to-face with then-Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, shortly before being allowed to spend two weeks with his best friend David Cunio before the two were separated.
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