Family Bibas Kidnapped by Different Group Than Hamas, Israeli Official Says

TEL AVIV – The tragic story of the Bibas family, held captive after the October 7 attacks, took a startling turn with the revelation that they were not kidnapped by Hamas, but by a smaller Palestinian militant group. The disclosure has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with some alleging the Israeli government exploited the family’s suffering to bolster support for its military campaign in Gaza.

Major General Nitzan Alon, formerly the head of Israel’s Headquarters for Missing Persons and Captives, revealed in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth that the Bibas family – Shiri, her husband Yarden, and their sons Ariel and Kfir – were abducted by the Mujahidin Brigade, a relatively small faction not directly affiliated with Hamas.

“We knew who kidnapped them,” Alon stated, adding that Israeli authorities even informed Hamas about the identity of the captors in a desperate attempt to locate the family and recover their remains. “We told Hamas who the kidnappers were so they could find the bodies and return them.”

The Bibas family’s plight became a focal point of the conflict. Shiri Bibas, 32, and her two sons, four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir, tragically died while in captivity. Their deaths were confirmed after Yarden Bibas was released as part of a prisoner exchange in February, along with the remains of his wife and children.

A Shifting Narrative and Rising Accusations

The revelation about the Mujahidin Brigade’s involvement has fueled accusations that the Israeli government deliberately blurred the lines of responsibility, presenting the kidnapping as solely the work of Hamas to justify the scale of its response in Gaza. The conflict has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and has displaced over 1.7 million people – roughly 75% of Gaza’s population – according to UN data.

Critics argue that the initial framing of the Bibas family’s kidnapping as a direct act of Hamas contributed to a narrative of collective punishment and intensified the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The International Criminal Court is currently investigating allegations of war crimes committed by both sides of the conflict.

The Mujahidin Brigade: A Lesser-Known Faction

The Mujahidin Brigade is a Palestinian militant group operating primarily in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. While smaller and less prominent than Hamas or Islamic Jihad, it has engaged in armed resistance against Israel for years. Experts suggest the group’s motivations are often rooted in local grievances and a desire for Palestinian self-determination.

The group’s involvement in the October 7 attacks raises questions about the level of coordination between different Palestinian factions and the broader strategic objectives of the assault. Israeli intelligence officials have previously indicated that multiple groups participated in the attacks, but the extent of their collaboration remains unclear.

The Human Cost of Conflict

The Bibas family’s story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The loss of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir has left an indelible mark on their family and the wider Israeli public. The unfolding details of their kidnapping and deaths underscore the urgent need for a lasting resolution to the conflict and an end to the cycle of violence.

“This is a tragedy beyond words,” said a family friend, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The Bibas family deserved so much better. Their story should be a wake-up call to the world.”