Heartfelt Tribute as Israel Honors Kidnapped Child's Birthday with Orange Balloons

Israelis released hundreds of orange balloons on Monday to mark the fifth birthday of Ariel Bibas, one of two children kidnapped by Gaza militants. Ariel and his 1-year-old brother, Kfir, symbolize the struggle to release hostages. The event underlined the ongoing trauma and hope for their safe return.

Hundreds of Israelis released orange balloons into the sky on Monday to mark the fifth birthday of Ariel Bibas, one of two children held captive by militants in the Gaza Strip.

Ariel, along with his 1-year-old brother Kfir, has become a poignant symbol of the effort to free hostages. The orange balloons signify the boys' bright red hair.

In a tragic attack on October 7, Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, including the Bibas family. Ariel and Kfir are said to be the only children among the 110 hostages still held. Israeli authorities confirmed that over a third of the hostages are presumed dead, but Ariel and Kfir are not included in that tally.

Relatives of Ariel expressed their disbelief at celebrating his birthday while he remains in captivity, 304 days after his kidnapping. 'It's something we never imagined, that Ariel will turn five as a hostage,' said Tomer Keshet, a cousin of Ariel's father, Yarden.

Ariel, Kfir, and their parents, Shiri and Yarden Bibas, were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. A video of the kidnapping, showing Shiri swaddling the boys in a blanket while being taken by armed men, circulated widely soon after the attack.

In January, the family marked 'the saddest birthday in the world' when Kfir turned one. Keshet noted significant differences in how Kfir and Ariel might be experiencing captivity, emphasizing that Ariel, as an older child, understands the gravity of the situation.

On Monday, supporters in Tel Aviv marched with photos of Ariel dressed as Batman, his favorite superhero, to honor his birthday. 'Instead of watching Ariel running in the fields with his Batman cape, he's probably in some tunnel from Hamas,' lamented Jimmy Miller, a relative.

Ariel and Kfir were among the youngest of around 30 children kidnapped on October 7. Despite a week-long cease-fire in November, which saw Hamas release 105 hostages, the Bibas boys and their mother were not freed. Yarden, taken separately, was wounded during the abduction.

Since the attack, over 39,000 Palestinians have died, as per Gaza's Health Ministry. Severe food shortages and poor sanitation conditions are causing immense suffering among the displaced population.

Across Israel, orange has become a symbol of the Bibas family. During Ariel's birthday event, his grandmother, Pnina Bibas, spoke emotionally about the changing seasons and the orange fruits Ariel loves, symbolizing the passage of time during his captivity.

(With inputs from agencies.)