Shiri Bibas' Cousin: "It is Not Possible for Children to be Held as a Bargaining Chip"

Devorah Fox, cousin of Shiri Bibas (Photo: Liran Vainshtain, Srugim)

The five rounds of the hostage deal that went into action did not include the members of the Bibas family whose relatives expected to see them together with the rest of the freed hostages. During the press conference that the family held today (Tuesday), they cried out their pain.

It is not possible for children to be held as a bargaining chip (Video: Liran Vainshtain)

Devorah Fox is Shiri Bibas' cousin who is being held captive by Hamas along with her husband Yarden and their two children Ariel and Kfir. In an interview, she describes the difficult feelings, hope and disappointment that they have not yet been included in the list of those released.

"Are they with their mother?"

"The feelings are very difficult, every time there is a release of abductees we really hope that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir are included in the list, and every time we are informed that they are not," Devorah notes painfully. According to her, "It is very difficult to know that a 10-month-old baby and his 4-year-old older brother are in captivity."

Expressing sympathy with the Bibas family (Photo: Liran Vainshtain, Srugim)

Fox went on to describe the great concern for their family members. "We don't know what they are going through, if they are even with their mother, who is taking care of them and whether they get all the things they need to develop like children. The feelings are very hard and it is not easy. We meet people all the time, in the end it doesn't matter to the deal itself who is released. We receive a list and do not know who is on it."

Members of the Bibas family in a statement (Photo: Liran Vainshtain, Srugim)

"The Red Cross took a side here"

In her words, Devorah asked to convey a message to the President of the United States and the Emir of Qatar to work for the release of her family members. "They must do everything to bring Shiri back together with Ariel and Kfir. It is impossible that two such small children become an enemy of Hamas," she cries. According to Fox, "They are not an enemy, it even goes against the entire teachings of Islam. It is not possible that they are holding two small children as a bargaining chip, they are not part of this war."

According to Fox, "There was a promise from the Red Cross that they would visit the abductees, so far this has not happened. We saw someone who returned from captivity and was on the verge of death because she did not receive the medication she should have received. It's quite clear that they took a side here, I would expect such an organization to be truly neutral and at least make sure that the abductees receive a visit and the minimum necessities."