Israel mourns for the Bibas family: A survey

The Bibas family - Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel - are being laid to rest today (Wednesday), and while media are being asked not to cover the event, multiple Israeli political leaders and ordinary citizens are making their own special gestures in their memory.

MK Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Chairperson of the Knesset Subcommittee on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, had everyone stand for a minute of silence in memory of the Bibas family.

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MK David Bitan, Chairman of the Economy Committee, also had everyone stand for a minute of silence for the Bibas family. MK Avraham Bezalel then read a chapter of Tehillim in their memory.

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Multiple other Knesset committees either delayed their meetings or cancelled them altogether.

The President's Residence was also illuminated in orange as a tribute to the memory of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, "who were brutally murdered by terrorists while in captivity in Gaza."

According to the President's office's statement: "Today, after 509 days, Shiri and her young children are being brought to their final resting place and a proper burial in Israel. At this hour when the people of Israel grieve and bow their heads, the President's Residence mourns with Jordan and the Bibas family.

"While an entire nation prayed and hoped for a different outcome, we remain wounded and in pain, but from within this sorrow, we will continue to pray for better days and for the swift return of all hostages still being held in Gaza, some to rehabilitation in their homes and others to burial in Israel."

The Border Guard also dedicated an officers' ceremony to the Bibas family. Here is the full statement:

Yesterday, a ceremony was held to award officer ranks to 32 graduates of the Border Guard course.

At the ceremony, which took place at the Border Guard Corps School in Beit Horon, 32 graduates of the Border Guard Officers Course marched after successfully completing the course, which lasts approximately nine months in total.

The ceremony was attended by Border Guard Commander Chief Superintendent Brik Yitzhak, Head of Human Resources Division of the Israel Police Chief Superintendent Alona Shoshan, Commander of the National Guard in the Border Guard Chief Superintendent Nachshon Nagler, Deputy Commander of the Border Guard Deputy Superintendent Amram Nidam, Commander of the Corps School Deputy Superintendent Barak Mordechai, senior corps command staff, families, friends, and course graduates.

The Officers Course in the Border Guard Commanders Branch lasts about nine months, during which the new officers completed the three parts of the course, including the preparation phase, the Land Officers Course at the Israel Defense Forces Officers School - Training Base 1, and the corps completion phase at the Police College and the Corps School in Beit Horon.

During the course, the new officers specialized and were trained in command content, combat, marksmanship, process management, leading staff work, command and control doctrine in routine and emergency situations, and more. In addition, the officers experienced leading operational activities in various sectors and different scenarios as part of their preparation for the command roles they will perform upon completion of the course.

The male and female graduates who were certified will be integrated into the various units and companies of the corps, including the border security companies and units, intelligence units, and special units of the corps, and will take an active part in leading the male and female Border Guard fighters in the stubborn fight against terrorism and intensive activity against serious crime.

The Border Guard Commander dedicated the distinguished event to the memory of the Bibas family - Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, may their memory be blessed, and addressed this in his speech.