An Israeli mother who was abducted with her three children by Hamas recalled her harrowing 51 days in captivity, where they subsisted on tapes a day in a small room shaken by bomb blasts.
Hagar Brodutch, 40, publicly shared her family’s harrowing story of survival for the first time with a US audience on Thursday night at an emotional event at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan organized by the Israeli charity Belev Echad.
Hagar and her husband Avihai, 42, and their children Ofri, 10, Yuval, 9 and Oriya, 4, woke up on October 7 to the sound of rockets being fired from Gaza – just hours after they had finished celebrating Ofri’s birthday.
Hagar and the children rushed to the safe room while her husband Avihai, 42, a member of the Kibbutz civil guard, ran to the city armory to retrieve his firearm.
The boy’s friend from school, Abigail Mor Idan, who narrowly escaped after Hamas terrorists dressed as IDF soldiers killed her parents in front of her, soon arrived at their front door.
“He [covered] with blood,” said Hagar, “but then we realized it wasn’t his blood.”
Hagar Brodutch and Rabbi Vigler, who organized the event with his charity Belev Echad. Christopher Sadowski Avihai Brodutch was injured by RPG shrapnel in a battle with Hamas. Christopher Sadowski
As Avihai runs to the armory, the terrorists shoot him, and when he arrives, he realizes Hamas is already there waiting for the civilian guards to show up.
“They know everything, they have excellent reconnaissance,” Avihai said.
Seven members of the civil guard were killed and three wounded in the ensuing battle.
Avihai Brodutch in front of the hostage poster of his wife and children. News Licensing / MEGA Hagar, Ofri, Yuval, and Oria spent 51 days in Hamas captivity. AP
“Four of my friends died right next to me,” Avihai said.
Armed with an M16, Avihai exchanged fire with Hamas assassins who fired RPGs and threw grenades. Avihai was injured in his leg and arm.
Back at the house, 15 terrorists forced their way into the safe room, kidnapped Hagar and the children, and took them on a “crazy drive to Gaza.”
Avihai Brodutch saw four of his friends die next to him. Christopher Sadowski Hagar Brodutch was taken prisoner along with his own children and an orphaned neighbor. Christopher Sadowski
“Everyone in Gaza was cheering and happy,” Hagar recalled. “They hit me, the terrorists are trying to show everyone that they have a little girl with them.”
They were then taken to an apartment in Gaza without running water. After two weeks of bombing the IDF demolished the building, according to Hagar. His daughter Ofri was injured by the explosion, suffering a head wound.
The hostages were moved to another apartment where they were guarded by three terrorists at all times, and were only allowed to leave their locked rooms to use the bathroom.
The family had to endure nothing but one tape every day for weeks. “I had to beg for food for my children,” Hagar said.
Their captors played sadistic psychological games with them. “We were told there is no Kfar Aza [their kibbutz] longer,” said Hagar. And for 51 days, they didn’t know if Avihai was dead or alive.
“It’s hell.” Hagar said.
Avihai reunites with his children. via REUTERS After the family was reunited, a stranger offered them a house to live in for free. via REUTERS Yuval Brodutch warmly hugs his father after his release from Hamas custody. via REUTERS
Hagar, her children and Abigail were finally released at the end of November. They are too traumatized to go home.
The community gathered around them. A stranger offers them a house to live in for free, and their neighbors come to give it to them. “They filled our fridge with food,” the mother recalled.
Now the Brodutches are just trying to move on from the nightmare.
“The kids have a hard time,” said dad. “In terms of school, they are 51 days behind.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
