Nir Oz Resident Recounts Harrowing Battle and Family Loss
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Benny Avital of Kibbutz Nir Oz described the Hamas attack as a "complete shock," recounting an hour-long fight for his safe room door. He later emerged unarmed to help rescue families, only to discover his brother had been killed. His son Saar protected his younger siblings during the ordeal while terrorists were inside their home. Avital asked a neighbor to watch his children so he could join the rescue efforts.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Benny Avital fought terrorists for an hour over his safe room door during the Nir Oz attack.
- Avital emerged unarmed to help rescue families after the initial assault.
- He learned his brother was killed in the fighting later that night.
- His son Saar protected his younger siblings during the attack.
- Terrorists entered their home, drank, played music, and shouted 'Happy Holiday' in Hebrew.
- Avital asked a neighbor to guard his children so he could join rescue efforts.
Benny Avital described his initial encounter with the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz as a "complete shock." He recounted fighting terrorists for an hour over the handle of his safe room's door while they were inside his home. After the militants left, Avital emerged without a weapon to help rescue other families on the kibbutz. It wasn't until later that night that he learned his brother had been killed in the fighting.
Meanwhile, his wife, Yemit, anxiously followed the terrifying updates from Tel Aviv. Their eldest son, Saar, displayed remarkable bravery by comforting his younger siblings and keeping them quiet behind a closet while terrorists ransacked their home, drinking, playing music, and shouting 'Happy Holiday' in Hebrew from outside their safe room door. Avital stated, 'I fought with them for the handle from the inside for a long hour.'
Around noon, when relative quiet descended, Avital went outside and encountered a neighbor. He asked her to stay and guard the children in the safe room while he joined the fight and rescue efforts for other families on the kibbutz, unarmed.
