Surviving Nir Oz: A Family's Ordeal on October 7
A Nir Oz family shares their harrowing survival story from October 7, detailing how an unarmed father, a courageous 9-year-old son, and a secure safe room saved their children.
Terror in Nir Oz: A Family's Survival Story
On the morning of October 7, 2023, the quiet of the sukkah in Nir Oz was shattered. Beni and Yamit's children—Sa'ar (9), Adi (7), and Yoav (4)—woke up to sirens. Beni rushed them into the safe room, only to realize he was helpless. Yamit was in Tel Aviv with the keys, including the one for his weapon safe, leaving him unarmed as terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz.
"I fought with them on the handle from the inside for a long time. Around 12, when relative quiet prevailed, I went outside and encountered a neighbor, asking her to watch the children while I joined the defense," Beni recounted.
Hours of Agony and Heroism
While Beni defended the area alongside local security forces, Yamit experienced a different kind of nightmare in Tel Aviv, monitoring the kibbutz mothers' WhatsApp group as distress messages flooded in. With communication cut off, she feared the worst for her family. Meanwhile, 9-year-old Sa'ar displayed extraordinary courage, keeping his younger siblings calm and silent behind a wardrobe while terrorists roamed their home.
The Aftermath and Complex Return
The physical home in Nir Oz was completely destroyed, and the family suffered a profound personal loss when Beni's older brother, Gil Avital, fell in combat defending nearby Moshav Yesha. Today, three years later, the family resides in Kiryat Gat. While they occasionally visit Nir Oz, a permanent return remains out of the question as they continue to process the trauma of that fateful day.
