Orange Lights Across New York State in Memory of Slain Bibas Family

In a heartfelt tribute to the Bibas family, New York State lit up 14 landmarks in orange on Friday night to honor the memory of Shiri Bibas and her young sons, Ariel, 4, and baby Kfir, just 9 months old. The family was brutally murdered by Hamas while in captivity, a crime that has shocked the world.

Landmarks across the state, including One World Trade Center, Niagara Falls, the Empire State Plaza in Albany, and Moynihan Train Hall in New York City, glowed with the symbolic color. The tribute also extended to several iconic bridges, sending a powerful message of solidarity with the grieving Bibas family and the State of Israel.

“Our hearts are broken as we mourn Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were brutally murdered by Hamas in an act of callous and unthinkable cruelty,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I join the millions around the world honoring their memory and demanding that Hamas immediately return the remains of Shiri Bibas home to Israel.”

Hamas was expected to return the remains of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas last Thursday as part of a hostage exchange agreement. However, in a deceitful move, the terror group sent the body of a Gazan woman instead of Shiri. The true remains of Shiri Bibas were only delivered on Friday, with forensic examinations confirming that she had been murdered alongside her children.

Dr. Chen Kugel, director of the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, debunked Hamas’s false claims that Shiri died in an Israeli airstrike. “Our examination found no evidence of injuries caused by bombing,” Kugel stated, revealing the brutal reality of their deaths.

Since Thursday, forensic experts have worked tirelessly to provide clarity to the Lifshitz and Bibas-Silberman families. “It’s a difficult day for the families, for us, the medical staff, and for the entire nation of Israel,” Kugel said.

Despite irrefutable forensic evidence, Hamas continued to deny responsibility. Spokesman Hazem Qassem dismissed the findings as “baseless lies and fabrications,” underscoring the group's long-standing strategy of spreading disinformation.

New York’s poignant tribute stands as a reminder of the need to confront terrorism and uphold the truth. As the orange lights shone brightly, they symbolized not only the memory of the innocent lives lost but also the unwavering resolve to stand against hatred and violence.

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