Hundreds of hostages were still being held by Hamas as the war reached its grim climax Tuesday – marking a month since the Iran-backed terrorists attacked Israel and killed 1,400 people.
As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prepare to invade Gaza in an all-out assault to root out the bloodthirsty terrorist group and free 240 hostages, abducted families are left praying for their safe return.
Optimistic that their families will recover, several loved ones spoke to The Post about how their relatives enjoyed their daily lives in Israel before they were captured by Hamas fighters and their world was shaken.
The hostages include a number-crunching parent and three raging children, a Maroon 5 fan serving in the IDF, a US-Israeli mental health teacher and her music-loving husband, and an Argentinian-Israeli couple on a family trip for the holiday. .
Hagar, Ofri, Yuval, and Uriah Brodutch
Hagar Brodutch and her children, Ofri, 10, Yuval, 8, and Uriah, 4, were abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, about 2 miles from Gaza, one of the villages worst affected during the October 7 rampage.
Distraught father Avihai Brodutch, 42, said his family had been brutally ripped apart when he left them in a safe room in their home while he went out to help others during the attack.
He described his wife, 40, as a staple in the community — a financial expert who would help her neighbors when they had problems with banks or loan agencies.
Avihai Brodutch, center, watches as his wife Hagar, and children Ofri, 10, Yuval, 8, and Uriah, 4, are taken from him on Oct. 7. AP
“He was the kind of person who would solve everyone’s problems,” Avihai said. “He was in charge of the kibbutz’s business center.”
Hagar also likes to bake croissants and other French pastries for her family.
But the smell of freshly baked goods in Avihai’s house is now gone, along with the sound of his guitar and the David Bowie and John Lennon soundtracks that Ofri likes to play.
Avihai continued to call for the immediate release of the children and women held hostage by Hamas. News Licensing / MEGA
Tuesdays are also when young Yuval will turn on his XBox to play Minecraft with his friends, and when Uriah tracks mud all over the house after playing with his toy tractor.
A month passed since his peaceful daily life was suddenly disrupted, Avihai cried because he wanted them to be released immediately.
“I want the world to focus on at least getting children and women out of there,” Avihai said. “Children should not be part of any conflict. Children should not be held hostage.”
Roni Eshel
Roni Eshel, 19, is a rookie IDF soldier who enlisted after graduating high school — and quickly discovered the “Band of Sisters” while stationed at the base in Nahal Oz.
His uncle, Elad Levy, 49, described his nephew as a normal teenager who loved being with his family and driving them around after getting his driver’s license.
Eshel is a huge fan of Taylor Swift and Harry Styles — and was thrilled to see Maroon 5 last year with her family during their highly anticipated show in Israel.
Roni Eshel, 19, was stationed at the base in Nahal Oz when it was attacked by Hamas. AP
Levy also described the teenager as responsible and hardworking, known in his neighborhood as a nurturing parent who would trust their children.
He brought those traits to the IDF, Levy said, because he often worked at the base’s security monitoring station, watching rocket fire and violent demonstrations coming from Gaza.
At such times, Levy said her family would call her, but she assured them each time that she was safe.
He also insisted he was safe in his last message to his family on October 7, shortly before his base was attacked.
Eshel, who serves in the IDF, enjoys listening to pop music and driving his family around. Facebook/Roni Eshel
Levy called on his government to do everything it could to save his nephew and the other hostages. He said he agreed that there should not be any talks about a ceasefire until the abductees are free.
“Something that worries us is that a month has passed, but we have never seen the condition of the hostages since then,” he said. “We shouldn’t be talking about sending more aid to Gaza until we know more about the hostages and the crisis they are going through.”
Gadi and Judith Weinstein Haggai
US-Israelis Gadi and Judih Weinstein Haggai were taking their usual morning walk outside Kibbutz Nir Oz when they were ambushed by Hamas terrorists, their family said.
Gadi, 73, is a talented musician and chef, and his wife, Judih, 70, is a retired English teacher. Although retired, Judih continues to work in the field of education, said her niece Ofri Haggai.
The beloved grandmother often teaches classes on mindfulness and meditation, particularly working with children to help them manage their stress caused by constant rocket fire between Israel and neighboring Gaza.
Gadi and Judih Weinstein Haggai were taking an ordinary morning walk when Hamas terrorists shot and kidnapped them.
Judith would probably be teaching another class by now while Gadi would be practicing his various instruments if not for the terrorist attack, which left them “severely injured” after Hamas gunmen shot them, Ofri said.
They will also enjoy regular walks around their kibbutz and find ways to entertain their four children and seven grandchildren.
“They are both great and peaceful people,” Ofri said. “Their relationship is beautiful.”
Luis Har and Clara Marman
Luis Norberto Har was hiding in the safe room of his home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak when he was kidnapped along with his partner, Clara Marman, 62, his siblings Fernando Marman and Gabriela Leimberg, and niece Mia Leimberg.
Har’s daughters, Rinat Har Sheleg and Natali Har, told reporters Monday in New York that they had been in contact with their father shortly before he was taken by Hamas.
“They’re in,” he texted them after the terrorists broke out on the morning of October 7. The family’s phone was later traced to a location in Gaza.
Luis Norberto Har was hiding with his family in their safe room in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak when Hamas kidnapped them. His partner, Clara Marman, was a teacher for 30 years who helped take care of the children of their village. Har’s daughters, Rinat Har Sheleg and Natali Har, sobbed as they pleaded for their father’s safe return. J. Messerschmidt for the NY Post
Har and his relatives are all Argentinian-Israeli dual nationals, with Mia, 18, visiting the kibbutz for the weekend, according to the Times of Israel.
Maayan Sigal-Koren, Marman’s daughter, described her mother as “the warmest woman in the world,” noting that she worked as a kindergarten teacher for 30 years, according to the organization Bring Them Back, which supports the release of the hostages. by Hamas.
Before being kidnapped, she would spend time taking care of children in the kibbutz. His sister, Gabriela, is the director of Eyal’s Farm, a farm for autistic adults in Jerusalem.
“Things for the family will never be the same,” Har’s daughter told reporters in the Big Apple on Monday. “Can’t go back to the days before Oct 7.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
