Three Families Annihilated in October 7 Hamas Attack
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
Three families, the Simantovs, Kotzes, and Kapschiters, were entirely eradicated during the Hamas attacks on October 7. The Simantovs, including parents and three children, died in their Nir Oz home after it was set ablaze. The Kotz family of five was murdered in their Kfar Aza home, found embracing in bed. The Kapschiter family of four was killed by terrorists while driving near Sderot after a camping trip. These families represent a fraction of the widespread devastation caused by the attacks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Three families, the Simantovs, Kotzes, and Kapschiters, were completely annihilated on October 7.
- The Simantov family died in their Nir Oz home from smoke inhalation and gunfire after terrorists set it ablaze.
- The Kotz family of five was murdered in their Kfar Aza home by terrorists.
- The Kapschiter family of four was killed by terrorists while driving near Sderot.
- Carol Simantov, mother of Yehonatan Simantov, was also murdered in her Nir Oz home.
- The Kapschiter family's youngest son, Eitan, was days away from his fifth birthday.
Three families were completely wiped out during the Hamas massacre on October 7, losing all their members in the attacks on southern Israel. The Simantov family, the Kotz family, and the Kapschiter family are recounted as examples of the devastating loss.
Yehonatan (Johnny) Simantov, 36, a lifelong resident of Nir Oz who worked in agriculture, and his wife Tamar, 35, a founder of the "Bikurim" youth village and a candidate for Eshkol Regional Council head, were killed along with their three young children, 5-and-a-half-year-old twins Arbel and Shachar, and 2-year-old Omer. The family, including their dog Zuko, sought refuge in their home's safe room, but terrorists breached the house, firing at the door and then setting the home ablaze when they couldn't enter. Tamar and Johnny were severely wounded by gunfire, while the children succumbed to smoke inhalation. Johnny's mother, Carol Simantov, a beloved educator and kibbutz nurse, was also murdered in her home that same morning.
The Kotz family, Aviv, 53, and Livnat, 49, residents of Kfar Aza, were killed with their three children, 18-year-old Rotem, 16-year-old Yonatan, and 14-year-old Yiftach. Aviv and Livnat were known for their advocacy for life in the Gaza border region and their belief in coexistence, with Aviv organizing an annual kite-flying event near the fence to foster peace. The entire family was found embracing in their bed after terrorists entered their home and shot them before 7 AM. Aviv and Livnat's parents, who also live in Kfar Aza, were unable to reach them and discovered the tragedy the following day.
Dina Kapschiter, 34, originally from Uzbekistan, and her husband Yevgeny (Genia), 36, originally from Ukraine, were killed with their two children, 9-year-old Elin and 4-year-old Eitan, who was due to celebrate his birthday on October 8. The family was on a camping trip near Ashkelon and was en route home when they encountered Hamas terrorists near Sderot, who opened fire and killed all four. Their bodies were identified over the course of several weeks, confirming the complete annihilation of the family.