FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Israeli Ambassador to Cyprus Oren Anolik has reflected on the tragic end of the Bibas family’s story, with their funeral last Wednesday.
The Bibas family’s story is a heart-wrenching tragedy that unfolded after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
The two toddlers and their mother were kidnapped and held in the Gaza Strip, where they ultimately met a horrific death at the hands of Hamas terrorists.
‘Wednesday was a very emotional and very sad day in Israel,’ he told Cyprus TV.
‘Many hostages and people were killed in the massacre by Hamas on October 7, but the story of these two children touched everyone’s hearts. Every civilized person around the world. For us, this is a symbol of what we are fighting for and the kind of threat we face. It reminds us of the evil we are forced to confront in this war’.
Anolik said the conflict was s extremely challenging and complex, characterized as a hybrid war.
‘In Gaza, there is no clear distinction between civilians and terrorists. The terrorists are using civilians as human shields, complicating the situation. Our approach to combating them is unprecedented globally.’
In a separate development, Türkiye on Monday condemned Israel’s recent decision to halt the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to ongoing ceasefire efforts.
In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry denounced the move as a deliberate act of collective punishment against the Palestinian people and a blatant violation of international law.