Hoyer Statement on the Murder and Return of Israeli Hostages

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today regarding the murder and return of the bodies of Israeli hostages Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz:

“I join Israelis, Jews, and people around the world in mourning the return of murdered hostages Kfir Bibas, Ariel Bibas, and their mother Shiri Bibas. Kfir and Ariel were innocent children kidnapped alive at 9 months and 4 years old – Kfir never celebrated a single birthday in freedom. The Bibas family was torn apart on October 7, stolen from their home in kibbutz Nir Oz. Their bodies have been returned alongside the body of a founding member of their kibbutz, Oded Lifshitz, a great-grandfather, journalist, and peace activist who would regularly transport patients from Gaza to receive medical care in hospitals across Israel.

“My thoughts today are with Yardan Bibas, husband to Shiri and father to Kfir and Ariel, who was also taken hostage and returned just last week to this sickening reality. Just days ago, when Yarden was released, Hamas made him stand on a stage as the terrorist group laughed at him and mocked his anguish.  Hamas is depraved – there is no rationalization for their violence, and these murders deserve universal condemnation.

“The international community must never forget that these Hamas terrorists took innocent children, barely old enough to crawl or before their first words, as hostages, and held the news of their deaths for more than 500 days and refused to return their bodies until ordered through a hostage deal. To argue that Hamas's objective is anything other than the slaughter of Jews and the complete destruction of Israel, while their founding charter explicitly states their objective is to ‘fight Jews and kill them,’ is not only dishonest but deeply dangerous. It fuels the antisemitism the Jews around the world have faced for millennia, both across the globe and here in the United States.

“We must continue our work to secure not only the remaining hostages but also Israel’s long-term security. We must never allow October 7 to be repeated or Hamas’ brutal leadership over Gaza to be restored. May the memories of Shiri Bibas, Ariel Bibas, Kfir Bibas, and Oded Lifshitz be a blessing.”