The Bibas Family from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th | Kan 07.10.360

As red alerts echo in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Shiri, and Yarden Bibas rush into their house's safe room with their children, four-year-old Ariel and nine-month-old Kfir. Yarden calls his parents, who live in Kibbutz Tze'elim, to check their safety. In the family WhatsApp group chat he writes that another wave of violence from the Gaza Strip is starting

Shiri exchanges messages with her sister, Dana Silberman-Siton, who lives in Moshav Yesha, near Kibbutz Nir Oz. Dana, connected to Nir Oz's messaging app, asks Shiri if it's true that terrorists disguised as Israeli soldiers have infiltrated her kibbutz. Shortly after, Yarden shares a screenshot in the family WhatsApp group, reporting that numerous terrorists have taken over Kibbutz homes disguising themselves and that civilians are engaged in gunfire exchanges with them. He also updates his sister and mother, informing them that he and Shiri can hear the sound of gunfire near their safe room

Yarden writes to his sister, Ofri Bibas-Levy, informing her that he can hear gunfire outside the house and that his gun is cocked and ready to fire. He also checks on their mother’s well-being. Ofri, who had lived in Kibbutz Reim until two months before the attack, receives an update in the kibbutz's WhatsApp group regarding a kibbutz resident being injured and relays the update to Yarden

Yarden messages Ofri, describing the overwhelming stress caused by the screams and relentless gunfire outside. Realizing the terrorists are armed with automatic weapons, he acknowledges the stark imbalance, holding only a handgun. In a moment of vulnerability, he admits he fears the worst and expresses his love for her. Meanwhile, Dana reaches out to check on her parents and Shiri's parents, Margit and Yossi Silberman, who also live in the kibbutz

In their final message exchange, Yarden informs his sister Ofri that terrorists are breaching his home, then abruptly stops responding. At that moment, armed terrorists drill through the window and house door, forcing their way inside

The terrorists storm the Bibas family home. Based on a forensic investigation and bullet marks found in the house, it is believed that Yarden left the safe room and engaged in an armed confrontation with the terrorists before being abducted. In a video later released, Yarden appears to be led into Gaza on a motorcycle, surrounded by terrorists, visibly wounded and bleeding. The family dog, Tonto, has been shot and discovered dead in the living room several days later

Soon after Yarden’s abduction, more terrorists storm the house, abducting Shiri and the Bibas children, Ariel and Kfir. It is presumed that Shiri has already lost contact with Yarden at that point. Ofri, Yarden’s sister, informs their father, Eli, that Yarden stopped responding to her messages. She also attempts to reach Shiri but is unable to contact her. Dana, Shiri’s sister, also tries to contact Shiri, but doesn't manage to contact her

Security footage obtained by IDF forces reveals that at 10:14 AM, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir are brought to the city of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. The footage shows terrorists transferring them from one vehicle to another. Shiri is wrapped in a large cloth, with Ariel’s head visibly poking out, while Kfir appears to be strapped to her in a baby sling. Meanwhile, terrorists set fire to Margit and Yossi Silberman's home while they are still inside. Dana, Shiri’s sister, tries to call her parents at the same time

Pnina, Yarden's mother, shelters near her home in Kibbutz Tze'elim. A fellow kibbutz resident shows her a photo circulating on social media. The image depicts a woman and two children being abducted to Gaza. Upon closer inspection, Pnina recognizes Shiri and her two grandchildren. She forwards the picture to Ofri, who informs their father. Unsure if the photo is authentic or fabricated, they continue trying to contact Yarden and Shiri while desperately seeking help

Ofri, Yarden’s sister, receives a video of Shiri and her children’s abduction on WhatsApp. She and the rest of the family are attempting to contact Shiri and Yarden but won't receive any response from them