Widow of Israeli Victim Killed in Hamas Attack Allowed to Enter Israel for Wedding

Paul Vincent Castalbi, 42, was murdered by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre in Be'eri, where he worked as a caregiver for the late Avitar Kipnis, a kibbutz resident. His widow, Joval Santiago Castalbi, was initially barred from entering Israel with her young son to attend the wedding of Kipnis's son, Nadav. However, following a court appeal, Israel's Population and Immigration Authority agreed to allow them entry from the Philippines, contingent on a 100,000 shekel bond per person.

Joval, who was nine months pregnant during the massacre, survived by hiding in a safe room at Kibbutz Or Haner, where she also worked as a caregiver. She lost her husband, who stayed with Avitar and his wife Lilach, both also killed by the terrorists. After the attack, a close bond formed between Joval and Nadav's partner, Sharon, who became pregnant. Sharon recounted how Joval gave birth without epidural pain relief, having already endured the greatest pain of losing her husband.

Joval had left Israel with her infant son, Jayzen Paul, but was denied permission to return permanently due to immigration restrictions. Sharon explained that Joval struggled abroad without her son and needed to be physically in Israel to apply for victim status and residency rights, which were repeatedly denied from overseas. Joval expressed the importance of attending Nadav and Sharon's wedding, calling them her "second family" after the tragedy.

Following the court's decision, Sharon expressed gratitude and hope that Israel will continue to support widows and orphans of terror victims, recognizing their special needs and the state's obligations to them.