October 7th Survivor Rachel Edri Reflects on Trauma and Miracles

Rachel Edri, a survivor of the October 7th Hamas attack on her home in Ofakim, has shared her experiences in a new interview as part of the "Where Are They Today" project by ynet and Yediot Ahronot. Edri became a national hero after she held off terrorists for 20 hours by serving them coffee and cookies, singing, and making them laugh, while also aiding police outside. Her story offered a rare moment of comfort amidst the widespread tragedy and uncertainty following the massacre.

While Edri and her husband David, who was with her throughout the ordeal, were rescued alive and the terrorists were eliminated, the aftermath brought immense personal loss. Four months after October 7th, David Edri passed away at age 68, unable to recover from the trauma. Rachel describes him as a loving husband and father who always encouraged her, and his death revealed the tragic dimension of their ordeal.

Edri recounts the terrifying moments when five terrorists entered her home, initially disbelieving they were attackers. She recalls telling herself to remain calm and treat them as guests, a coping mechanism she attributes to her life experiences. While she managed to maintain composure, her husband David was in shock, repeatedly threatened by the terrorists. He struggled to process the events and refused psychological help, which Rachel believes contributed to his decline.

In the interview, Edri emphasizes her focus on "miracles," a word she repeats frequently. She expresses gratitude that the terrorists entered her home rather than those of her neighbors with children, and that her own children and grandchildren were not present. She recounts a harrowing moment when she asked a terrorist commander, Abu Amar, to inject her with insulin so she could see her son Avitar, a police officer who was part of the rescue operation outside. She was allowed to go, under the condition that the commander accompany her with a grenade.

Despite the immense trauma and the loss of her husband, Edri refused to abandon her home, which was destroyed during the battle. She views returning to it as a principled stand against terrorism. She is now undergoing psychological treatment and finds solace in her faith, her children, and grandchildren. While she acknowledges the national failure and her own anger, she prioritizes unity and focuses on the "miracles" that saved her life, stating, "I want to think only about the miracles."