Bibas Babies Among Bodies Released from Gaza

Hamas returned four bodies to Israel yesterday, including the youngest captives taken in the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack.

Kfir and Ariel Bibas were just nine months and four years old when their family was abducted from Nir Oz. They and their Israeli-Argentine-Peruvian mother, Shiri, 32, were reportedly transferred to a different Palestinian terrorist group in Gaza, where they were killed. But the body returned yesterday was NOT Shiri’s or any other hostage’s.

Held by Hamas separately from his family, their father, Yarden Bibas, 34, was only just released from captivity this month. Although Hamas taunted him throughout his more than a year in captivity, saying his family was dead, they gave no proof until the bodies of the children returned yesterday. The grandparents, Yosi and Margit Silberman (Shiri’s parents), were murdered the day of the abduction.

Oded Lifshitz, a retired journalist and veteran peace activist, also returned to Israel yesterday. He was 83 when he and his wife, Yocheved, were taken from Nir Oz. She was released October 24, 2023, during a previous ceasefire, but Oded returned yesterday in a coffin.

This is the first handover of dead hostages since the January ceasefire agreement began. Israel believes several more on the list to be released are also dead. Hamas is expected to release six live hostages Saturday.

Both Israel and Gaza are more than 97% unreached with the gospel of Christ, which means those who have died on both sides, including hostages, likely never heard the good news that brings salvation.

To pray for all the hostages by name, visit our Israel-Gaza-Lebanon page.

Pray for Israel, Gaza and Lebanon in These Trying Times

Lord, today we ask You especially for Yarden and his family, as they grieve the deaths of his children and the unknown whereabouts of Shiri. Please have mercy on them and cover them with Your love. In their time of grief, turn their eyes to You and make available to them You good news of salvation that brings light in the midst of darkness, hope for the hopeless, life for those who walk through the valley of the shadow of death.Open their hearts to believe in the only Truth who can set them free. Please guard the lives of every hostage still alive and carry them safely home. Watch over this ceasefire and bring an end to all the violence and death and a beginning of new LIFE in this region. Open the doors for Christian doctors, counselors, aid workers and builders to safely enter Gaza and begin to help them heal. Comfort those who mourn. Heal the minds and hearts of both Palestinians and Israelis, and open the way for every Muslim, every terrorist and every Jew to know the Truth who sets them free. John 14:6, 8:31-32. Meet them in their dreams and talk to them throughout the day. Make a way for Scripture to reach them and plant truth in their minds and hearts, verses that will press deep within them a hunger for something more than hatred and war. Lift the veil from their eyes so they will see Jesus as He truly is, the one and only Savior who rescues them from the evil that has bound them and gives them eternal life. Use this terrible war to bring about a church planting movement throughout Gaza, Israel and beyond, with thousands turning to Christ. Yes, Lord, awaken every heart to You. Make the way for every person to hear and clearly understand Your plan for their salvation. Press deep within their hearts a hunger for You and the conviction that You, Jesus, are the only Way. You are Life that extinguishes death, Love that chases out fear, Peace that overcomes chaos, Truth that conquers lies…. Show up in the life of each person caught up in the middle of this war, answering their questions and pointing them to You. Hear them when they cry and answer them like only You can. Perform miracles and signs and wonders so they will know it is You, and turn them from the path of evil to Your paths of love and life. Push back the enemy, Lord. Overcome the darkness now with so much Light, satan and all who serve him will flee. Set up Your throne in every heart. In the midst of so much terror and heartache, send every person running into Your arms. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.

.Join us for 30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening, March 1-30, as we pray for the nations to awaken to Christ’s love.

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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who have served the Lord many years in a dark area of the world where Christians are persecuted. They live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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