New orphanage in Yangon, Myanmar dedicated to murdered Israeli hostages Kfir and Ariel Bibas (Photo: Israeli embassy in Yangon)
The Israeli embassy in Myanmar recently completed the renovation of a local orphanage in memory of the Bibas children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months). The two Israeli brothers were kidnapped and murdered with their mother Shiri by terrorists while in captivity in Gaza.
The renovation project – “From the Israel Nir-Oz Orphans to Yangon Orphans” – began in July 2024 to honor the Bibas brothers. At the time, it was still unclear whether the kidnapped children were alive.
The initiative’s centerpiece is a restored mural by Israeli artist Or Yogev on the orphanage’s wall. The artist used paint from the Nirlat factory in Kibbutz Nir Oz, the rural community where the Bibas children lived before being brutally abducted by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Two hours after we finished this month’s long positive project by reconstruction of Or Yogev’s painting on the disaster of 7 of October for Nir-Oz children, we learnt the Bibas babies were murdered,” Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar Ruth Zakh wrote on 𝕏.
The renovated and expanded orphanage in Myanmar is now able to house and feed 30 children who have become orphans as a result of the ongoing conflict in the country. Before the Israeli embassy’s initiative, the orphanage was neglected, with the children reportedly sleeping in a rudimentary fenced-off open area and without a kitchen. The Israeli embassy project also installed a proper sewage system in the building
On Feb. 26, Yarden Bibas – the father of Ariel and Kfir Bibas and a former hostage in Gaza who was released in early February– delivered a heartbreaking eulogy for his wife, Shiri, and their sons.
Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1953. Unlike many developing nations, Myanmar does not recognize the “State of Palestine” and has maintained strong ties with Israel. Over the years, Israel has provided Myanmar with military and agricultural assistance, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Following the Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza War, the Myanmar government urged “relevant parties to exercise restraint and to resolve the issue peacefully.”
