Crowds lined the roads in Israel this morning to pay a final tribute to Shiri Bibas and her boys, Ariel and Kfir, who were just four and nine months when captured – along with peace activist Oded Lifshitz, who was 83. A sea of Israeli and yellow flags lined pockets along the 73-mile route from the Kerem Shalom Crossing on the Gaza border to the military forensic lab in Tel Aviv, ushering the hostages along on their final journey. Crowds stood in silence, save the sombre rhythm of clapping as the convoy passed by. The journey by road, instead of helicopter, was an important opportunity for Israelis to mark this poignant moment and say their goodbyes to a mother and her children who have come to represent so much. While Yarden Bibas, who was released from Hamas captivity last week, will now be able to grieve for his wife and children, a nation will be grieving too.
