New York State landmarks were illuminated orange on Friday in honor of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two young hostages killed in Hamas captivity whose bodies were released from Gaza a day earlier, Governor Kathy Hochul said.

“Our hearts are broken as we mourn Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were brutally murdered by Hamas in an act of callous and unthinkable cruelty,” Hochul said in a statement.

“I join the millions around the world honoring their memory and demanding that Hamas immediately return the remains of Shiri Bibas home to Israel.”

The boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, was also killed in captivity after being taken hostage with her sons on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel.

A body believed to be hers was released alongside the bodies of Ariel, Kfir and hostage Oded Lifschitz. Forensic analysts later determined that the released body was not Shiri’s. Hamas

© The Times of Israel