The Bibas family expressed heartfelt appreciation on Wednesday to Israelis across the country for their outpouring of support, including the tribute to their murdered kids in costumes on the Purim holiday.

“The heart missed a beat twice today,” read a post on a Facebook page managed by the family after images appeared on social media of classes of Israeli schoolchildren throughout the country, as well as adults, dressed as Batman, some carrying orange balloons or wearing orange masks, as a homage to 4-year-old Ariel Bibas and his love for the superhero. “Once, when we woke up to a morning without new photos of Ariel and Kfir dressed up for Purim, and the second time when we saw all the incredible gestures on the streets of Israel.

“Time after time during the last almost year and a half, and especially during the last few weeks, you have shown us that Ariel and Kfir will never leave us. They are in the heart of the nation and will always remain so. Those who were a symbol of Hamas’s cruelty, are now a symbol of unity and hope for the people of Israel.”