Joy, Grief, and Determination as Hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz Return in Phase 1 Releases

February 24, 2025 in Israel

By Salo Zelermyer.

As part of our partnership with Kibbutz Nir Oz – the special community shattered by the terrorist attacks on October 7 – for the 9 Shabbatot leading up to Yom Kippur, our Beth El community prayed for the release of the remaining hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Each Shabbat, we learned more about their lives and their families and loved ones waiting for them as well as those whom they lost in the attacks.

Now, as the releases from Phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement continue, we have rejoiced with the Nir Oz community as Gadi Moses, Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas, Arbel Yehoud, Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Sasha Troufanov have returned to their family and friends. And, tragically, our hearts have been shattered as the entire Jewish world mourns the murder of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas whose bodies returned to Israel for burial this week.

With each release, we have seen both the extent of the hostages’ suffering but also the depth of their courage in surviving the unspeakable and maintaining their humanity. No one here, or in the entire Jewish world, will ever forget the image of 80-year old Gadi Moses walking upright and proud through a throng of Hamas-supporters after 16 months of captivity to finally board a vehicle to bring him home to Israel. And what was Gadi’s message on the helicopter ride to the hospital to see his beloved family? “I will do all I can to rebuild (Kibbutz) Nir Oz.”

This is the spirit of Israel and, as we wait for the return of all of the hostages, we pray that we have the strength and perseverance to remember the beautiful faces of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir and, in their memory, help Gadi Moses rebuild so that Nir Oz will rise again.