IN COLOR: Israelis gather at Hostage Square to mark this dark day

Hundreds of Israelis gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv today as four bodies - Shiri Bibas, her sons Ariel (4) and Kfir (who was 9 months old when kidnapped), and 83-year-old peace activist Oded Lifshitz - were returned to Israel after 503 days in captivity.

The square, which has served as the focal point of the hostage families' campaign since October 7, was filled with the now-familiar orange balloons representing the Bibas children's red hair. Photos of the family that have become iconic over the past months - including the haunting image of Shiri clutching her children during their abduction - were displayed alongside pictures of Oded Lifshitz.

Earlier today, Hamas handed over four black coffins to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. After the transfer, IDF forces conducted a small ceremony where they draped the coffins with Israeli flags before transporting them to the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for identification.

While the families have requested privacy and asked the public to await final forensic confirmation before eulogies, supporters maintained a quiet vigil at the square. The recently freed Yarden Bibas, who was released on February 1 after 486 days in captivity, learned of his family's fate after maintaining hope for their survival during his own imprisonment.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed their grief while emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of the remaining 69 hostages still held in Gaza. Six more living hostages are expected to be released on February 22 as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

What began as a place of hope has today become a site of national mourning, with the black ribbons tied to yellow balloons symbolizing both loss and continued determination to bring all hostages home.