“Even in captivity, he decided on life” – family of Yarden Bibas begins the crowdfunding campaign to help him start a new life

The family of the returned Geisel Yardgen Bibaswhose heartbreaking history has grasped the hearts of the Israeli public, started a crowdfunding campaign on Sunday to help his rehabilitation after his return from Gaza.

The von Yardgen family tried to help him start again in the middle of his immeasurable loss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nhn_0zclwy

Garden was kidnapped separately by his wife and young Shiri, Ariel and Kfir, who were murdered by members of the terrorist group, which they held. During his captivity, the members of the Hamas said that his family had been killed in an Israeli air raid. After forensic and secret services, the children were murdered at the end of November or early December 2023.

Yarden's sister Ofri Bibas-Levi recently announced with Ynet and Yediot Ahronot about her brother's struggles and the decisions he made to advance.

“When I saw Garden in a video published by the Hamas in which he informed him that Shiri and the boys had been killed, I thought:”

OFRI announced that the family was concerned that he could hurt himself, but was surprised to see his determination.

“Even then, in captivity, he chose life. In addition to the immense pain, lack and longing, Yardgen decided that he wanted to live, ”she said. “The goal of the campaign is to allow him this.”

She also announced that the initiative for the start of the campaign came from the family due to his future needs.

“We want Yardos to make a decision, follow the right way for it and not make decisions based on economic restrictions,” she said. “Yardgen doesn't ask anything about himself. We ask about him about it. ”

“He was in hell for 16 months and now he is dealing with the loss, with questions like” What do I do? “” Where am I going? “He has not yet started to deal with the experience of captivity. It will come at some point and we cannot predict how difficult it will be. It is a long street, there will be ups and downs.”

The crowdfunding campaign had a target of five million shekel (approx. 1,370,500 US dollars). Within the first hours after the start, the campaign had reached almost 60% of its target, based on the donations of over 14,700 supporters.

The campaign side contained a message from Yarden's family.

“Yardgen Bibas has lost his whole world – now we are there for him,” said the news.

“Hello, it's Eli, Jordan Bibas' father. For 484 days, Yardgen was waiting for the moment to be released, the moment when he was finally able to return to life and hug his family again. Almost 500 days in the Hamas captivity – every minute is like an eternity. He was particularly looking forward to seeing Shiri again and hugging Ariel and keeping Baby Kfir in his arms. But he came into a hard and painful reality in the worst nightmare of everyone, ”wrote the family.

“Yardgen was released and only then did he find that his whole world had been murdered in captivity. He lost his family, his home, all of his possessions, he lost everything. And now we are here to help him get back on his feet. The rehabilitation of Yardgen is a long, complex and painful journey. In addition to the unimaginable grief, it has to build a life from scratch physically, mentally and financially, ”continued the message.

“Take part and give Jordan the strength to get up and start again. In my name and in the name of Jordan and our family, I would like to thank you for all the support and love, you are our strength to continue. Hopefully everyone will return now. ”

While the state has provided financial support for the return of hostages, the Yardgen family is not the first to turn to crowdfunding for help. The family of Eli Sharabi also began a crowdfunding campaign for him, as well as friends of murdered hostages Ohad Yahalomi, whose body was recently released from hostage stands to Israel and who left one woman and three children behind.

Return grids are currently receiving an aid package that includes a monthly basic scholarship of around 8,300 to 9,150 Schekel (approx. $ 2,275 to $ 2,500). After their release, they received an organization of 50,000 Schekel ($ 13,700 $ 13,700) on a prepaid card and 10,000 Schekel (2740 US dollars). You will also receive an automatic disability assessment of 50% and receive state support for medical and psychological treatment.

For many returning hostages, especially for those such as Yardgen Bibas and Eli Sharabi, who have lost almost everything – family and at home – the aid package is not enough to set up all the expenses when trying to try again.