"They told me I'd get a new family": Yarden Bibas reveals horrifying captivity and his message to Trump

In a powerful and emotional interview set to air on CBS’s “60 Minutes,” former hostage Yarden Bibas opens up about his harrowing ordeal of captivity at the hands of Hamas terrorists, and the devastating loss of his wife Shiri and their two young children, Ariel and Kfir. Speaking publicly for the first time since his release, Bibas makes a heartfelt appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to intervene to halt the ongoing war and secure the release of the remaining 57 hostages, including his close friends.

During the interview, journalist Lesley Stahl asks Bibas what message he has for Trump. Bibas responds with palpable emotion, urging, “Trump, please stop this war and help bring all the hostages back.” When asked if he believes Trump can make a difference, Bibas responds with certainty, saying, “I know he can help. I am here because of Trump. I am only here because of Trump.”

Bibas’s testimony is a stark reminder of the ongoing suffering of those still held in captivity. In the interview, he recounts the chilling psychological torment he endured during his 15 months in Hamas captivity, including how his captors taunted him about the brutal murders of his family, telling him he would “get a new wife” and “better kids.” His wife Shiri, along with their children Ariel and Kfir, were murdered while in captivity. Bibas was released in January as part of a temporary ceasefire deal, and soon after, the bodies of his wife and children were returned to Israel.

Since his release, Bibas has turned his grief into activism, speaking out about the need for a renewed ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages. In an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bibas urged the government to pursue a new ceasefire deal, as he believes continued fighting will not force Hamas to release the hostages. In his emotional plea, Bibas insists that former President Trump is the only one who can bring an end to the war and help secure the hostages' freedom.

Bibas’s appearance on “60 Minutes,” which also features fellow survivors Tal Shoham and Keith and Aviva Siegel, comes shortly after the 30-day memorial for his late wife and children. His powerful testimony highlights the critical role international leaders can play in addressing humanitarian crises, and his message serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing plight of the hostages still in captivity.