Crowds gather for ‘saddest birthday in the world’ marking infant Israeli hostage’s first year
- Kfir Bibas, his brother and parents were kidnapped on October 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage
- In Tel Aviv and as far away as Rome and Berlin, protesters wore orange, a colour inspired by Kfir’s hair, to mark his first birthday
Between 9 and 12 months old, babies learn to stand, say their first word, maybe take their first steps. As the family of Kfir Bibas, the youngest Israeli held in captivity in Gaza, celebrated his first birthday without him, they wondered which, if any, of the typical milestones they missed during those three months of his life.
“They’re supposed to see a lot of colours, but instead he’s seeing just darkness,” said Yosi Shnaider, a cousin. “He’s supposed to be learning to walk, but he has nowhere to do it. He’s supposed to be able to hold a spoon for the first time, he’s supposed to be tasting so many different foods for the first time.”
Kfir has been in captivity for a quarter of his life. The infant with red hair and a toothless smile has become a symbol across Israel for the helplessness and anger over the 136 hostages still in captivity in Gaza.
On Thursday, many people wore orange, a colour inspired by Kfir and Ariel’s hair. They marked Kfir’s first year with performances by Israeli children’s music stars, who wrote a song in his honour, and released orange balloons inscribed with birthday wishes.
Since video emerged shortly after the attack showing the brothers swaddled in a blanket around their terrified mother with gunmen surrounding her, orange has come to represent the family across Israel. But to some relatives, it brings pain as well as hope and recognition.
Shnaider thinks about the birthday party they could have had as a family this week, out on the grass of the kibbutz, with balloons on all the trees.
