Ofri Bibas, the sister of Yarden Bibas, who was freed from Hamas captivity, shared disturbing details about her brother’s ordeal during his time in captivity.
In an interview with Kan Reshet Bet, she described how he endured sixteen months in the tunnels controlled by Hamas, facing unbearable living conditions. “Yarden was held in tunnels most of the time,” Bibas recounted. “He was in a corridor covered with moldy boards. There was no air. He was in the same place where six other hostages had been held for a month.” She also revealed that there were extended periods when her brother received very little to eat.
Despite these harrowing circumstances, Bibas noted that Yarden managed to maintain his resilience: “He surprised me from the first moment I saw him, with his strength. He’s still the same Yarden, with his laughter and smile, but, of course, he’s very different. Hope kept him going there, and he still holds on to it.”
Bibas voiced deep concern about the possibility of renewed fighting, questioning its purpose: “What’s the purpose of this fighting? Six months ago, the IDF said that it had achieved all its targets. Apart from endangering the hostages and fallen soldiers, who will not be able to be brought for burial, and losing more soldiers, everyone understands that the Hamas myth will not end in combat fighting.”
She also mentioned previous failed negotiations: “Yarden came out and said that from the way the terrorists behaved in May, they understood that a deal had been signed. That was the atmosphere. Then they realized that it had exploded.”
Reflecting on the traumatic events, she said, “We shouldn’t have seen the shocking images of last Saturday,” expressing pain over the ongoing suffering. “We know they’re in hell. This time we’re leaving Yarden – not just us. He survived there for sixteen months, and we need to bring his family out, so he can rehabilitate himself.”
Bibas further shared that Yarden emerged from captivity with a clear understanding of their situation: “He understands that there is great fear and uncertainty and he is holding on to hope. That’s how he kept himself going there – he held onto hope.”
{Matzav.com Israel}