Survivor Teaches Life-Saving Skills After Parents Murdered on Oct. 7
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dekel Goren teaches IDF medics after her parents were murdered on Oct. 7.
- Her father died fighting terrorists at home; her mother was abducted and killed.
- She survived by hiding for 11 hours in her kibbutz apartment.
- Goren now commands a medic course, finding meaning in teaching life-saving skills.
- She shares her story to honor her parents and inspire trainees.
Dekel Goren, 21, now commands a medic course in the IDF, finding profound meaning in teaching others to save lives, a stark contrast to the tragedy she endured on October 7th. Her father, Avner, was murdered in their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz after struggling with the safe room door, while her mother, Miah, was abducted from the kindergarten where she worked and also murdered. Dekel survived by hiding in a young adults' apartment in the kibbutz for 11 hours until rescued.
On that fateful morning, Dekel was communicating with her father via WhatsApp. He described terrorists entering and ransacking their home and his fight for the safe room's handle. Her mother, who loved her work in education, had not told Dekel she was at the kindergarten, where she hid behind mattresses. The last message from her father was at 10:23 AM. Months later, intelligence revealed he had been injured at home and taken away alive.
Dekel and her then-boyfriend remained in their apartment, while one of her brothers was in a nearby apartment. She maintained contact with her brother, checking on each other's survival every few minutes. Her other two brothers were outside the kibbutz. After being rescued, Dekel and her surviving siblings faced prolonged uncertainty about their parents' fate.
Her father's body was eventually found in the fields between the kibbutz and the border. Her mother's fate remained unknown until November, when security camera footage from the kindergarten confirmed her abduction. After the initial hostage deal, the family was informed that Miah had been murdered and her body was held by Hamas. The family held a memorial service without a body or burial for Miah.
Despite the trauma, Dekel found purpose by returning to her pre-war plans for a year of service, eventually joining the IDF. She initially opted for a different path but ultimately decided to pursue her passion for teaching and medicine. Now, as a commander at the IDF's School of Medical Corps, she shares her personal story with trainees, emphasizing the importance of life-saving skills in their current reality.
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