After 484 days as a hostage of Hamas, without knowing the fate of his wife, Shiri, and their children, Ariel and Kfir, Yarden Bibas was reunited with his father and sister.
Following his release, Bibas arrived at a gathering point in Re'im, where, for the first time in nearly a year and a half, he embraced his family. The emotional reunion was captured in footage, leaving no eye dry.
Video: Yarden Bibas with his family
His release sent waves of emotion across Israel - both relief at his return and profound anguish over the fate of his wife and children, whose lives remain in grave danger.
His family had been holding their breath until his release from Gaza. His cousin, Oria Yekevs, told Army Radio this morning, "Our hearts are racing. We still don't know what physical condition he is in, but it is a relief to see him walking on his own two feet."
Yekevs added, "Yarden has lost a lot of weight. We are waiting to see him smile again, to see the spark return to his eyes. But a heavy cloud hangs over us. For us, this isn't over, we cannot stop. We must fight for Shiri and the children. At this stage, he will meet only with his immediate family, and rightfully so. Waiting for him in Re'im are his parents and sister."
Daniel Aloni, who was held captive with Bibas, told Israeli Channel 12 today: "At the beginning of our captivity, Ofer and Yarden were treated harshly and unjustly, as they were suspected of being soldiers. Yarden is a wonderful man, a devoted family person with endless sensitivity. I owe him so much for the help he gave me while we were in captivity."
