‘Inhumane and So Scary’: Family Member Begs for the Return of Baby Kidnapped by Hamas in Devastating CNN Interview

The Israeli cousin of two small children kidnapped by Hamas begged for their safe return on CNN Tuesday, as Kaitlan Collins tried to comfort him.

Elon Keshet is the cousin of 10-month old Kfir Bibas and his four-year-old brother Ariel Bibas. The boys’ parents, Yarden and Shiri Bibas, are also being held by the terrorists.

“This is a real nightmare scenario for us,” Keshet said. “It is a very vicious cycle of depression and anger and fear.”

Keshet said his family especially fears for the baby’s health since Kfir is in diapers and still being bottle-fed.

“We know these are not conditions to raise a baby. We are not sure if he is malnourished, if he can make it. Every day that he is staying there is a real, real danger for his life and his development,” Keshet said.

Keshet described what the children were exposed to during the kidnapping on Oct. 7:

They had to go through gunshots and shouting and blood and body parts in the street. This is the reality they had to go through. And now 53 days and they are going through this nightmare. It doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t make any sense that anyone can let this keep going. That a baby and a four-year-old, and their mother. They shouldn’t be kept like this. It’s inhumane, and so scary.

“Are these the enemies of Hamas? Are these the enemies of anyone?” Keshet asked while holding up photos of the brothers.

“Should these children be used as bargaining chips? No, they shouldn’t! This is the simple answer: They shouldn’t be used as bargaining chips for any political or religious reason, or whatever reason. There is no justification for using them like this.”

The IDF reported Tuesday that Hamas had transferred the family “to another terrorist group in southern Gaza,” and is “likely being used as leverage in Hamas and Israel’s talks to extend the current ceasefire agreement.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.