Host Yinon Magal Met Secretly With Bibas Family Relatives, Sister Claims

Ofri Bibas, sister of Yarden Bibas, revealed that Israeli media personality Yinon Magal met secretly with relatives of his late sister-in-law, Shiri Bibas, in an attempt to elicit an apology. Magal, a host on Channel 14 and radio 103FM, had previously drawn widespread anger for his harsh remarks against participants in a critical book, which included members of the Bibas family and other bereaved families.

"I am boiling," Ofri Bibas wrote in a sharp post. "Without my knowledge, Yinon Magal met with two relatives of Shiri from her mother's side, may she rest in peace. Out of respect for Shiri and her dear mother, the apology was not theirs to receive. He knew that Yarden and I would not accept his apology because it was not made in good faith."

Bibas further attacked Magal, stating his actions are part of a "campaign of incitement, division, and venom directed at the families for a long time, with the sole purpose of continuing the tenure of the one who to this day refuses to take responsibility for the greatest failure that happened to us." She elaborated in a prior radio interview that Magal's controversial statements were intended to distract from discussions about the October 7th failures and those responsible for the country's situation, directly targeting the political leadership.

Magal's comments, which included calling the book's participants "abominable people" and stating they would be remembered for eternal disgrace, had already sparked public outrage. He had attempted to mitigate the damage by acknowledging he had "excluded the families of the hostages" and that he should have clarified his remarks earlier, admitting it was a mistake not to do so from the outset and that he had no intention of hurting the families.