[14][15][16] Reportedly, prior to the attack the family had been debating leaving the kibbutz and looking to move to the Golan Heights, as they were tired of the constant fear and the proximity to Gaza and the rockets.

[17] On the day of the attack, Yarden Bibas was reportedly texting with his sister to update her on the status of fighting at and around the Nir Oz Kibbutz.

[17] Yarden had reportedly first believed that the rocket fire was "just another bombing" and had hesitated to use the gun in the home due to the number of militants with automatic weapons.

[19] Multiple pieces of media of the family were circulated online, such as a video of Shiri holding her redheaded children in her arms, with a look of terror on her face as she was surrounded by militants.

Hamas filmed Yarden breaking down upon hearing the fate of his family, and had him criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

[31] On 17 October 2023, a Hamas official said it would release all civilian (but not military) hostages in exchange for Israel ending the bombing of the Gaza Strip.

On 29 November, Hamas' armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades, said Shiri and her children had been killed in Israeli bombing of Gaza.

[3] In early December 2023 per Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, all Israeli embassies and consulates either lit their buildings in orange or displayed images of the family.

[39] Kfir's picture was also seen next to Israeli President Isaac Herzog while he spoke at the World Economic Forum that same week.

[40] On 19 February, the Israeli military released a video which purportedly showed members of the Bibas family in the Khan Younis area.

[43] Israeli officials had asked that Hamas provide more information on the condition of Shiri Bibas and the two children on January 29.

[46] After Yarden was released, the Bibas family issued a statement that "a quarter of our heart has returned.....but the home remains incomplete".

[47] His family also thanked the Israeli public for its support and concern, and that while he had lost a significant amount of weight he was in good spirits and physically stable.