Crowds lined the streets of Rishon Lezion on Wednesday to accompany murdered hostages Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas on their final journey.
It was requested by the family that only invited guests would be allowed to attend the funeral service; however, the general public has been invited to stand along the roads with Israeli flags.
Orange balloons, which had become synonymous with advocacy on behalf of the Bibas infant hostages due to their orange hair, were seen, as well as Israeli flags during the beginning of the funeral procession in Rishon Lezion. Some people were also seen bowing their heads as the vans carrying the Bibas family drove past.
"We see and hear you; we are moved and strengthened by you," the Bibas family said in a statement on Wednesday, speaking of the crowds lining the streets. "Yarden apologizes for not being able to come and hug each and every one of you. We hope for the day when we can once again be together in moments of joy and not sadness."
"Through the window, I see a broken country," Yarden Bibas's sister, Ofri, wrote on Facebook. "We will not rise and we will not recover until the last of the hostages are home."
President's Residence lights up in Orange
The President's Residence in Jerusalem was lit up in orange in memory of the Bibas family.
"Today, after 509 days, Shiri and her young children are finally being laid to rest with dignity in Israel," The President's Office announced in a statement. "At this moment, as the people of Israel grieve and bow their heads in sorrow, the President's Resident mourns with Yarden and the Bibas family.
"While an entire nation prayed and hoped for a different outcome, we are left wounded and in pain. Yet, even in our grief, we will continue to pray for better days and for the swift return of all the remaining hostages still held in Gaza."
Kidnapping of the Bibas family
On October 7, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, along with their father, Yarden Bibas, were abducted by terrorists from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Kfir was nine months old, and Ariel was four years old at the time.
Last week, the IDF confirmed the two brothers had been murdered by terrorists in Gaza captivity.
On Saturday, Shiri's body was returned from Gaza after the body Hamas had initially transferred to Israel was not hers.
Their father, Yarden, was released from Hamas captivity on February 1 as part of the hostage-ceasefire deal.