Family Finds Teeth in Kibbutz Near Gaza, Seeks ID of Officer Killed in October Attack

The Zini family, whose son Nir'el was a Givati Brigade officer killed during the October 7 attack, discovered nine teeth and several bones suspected to be human in the Dor Tza’ir neighborhood of Kibbutz Kfar Aza. These remains were sent to the Forensic Institute to determine if they belong to Nir'el, whose head has been missing since the massacre. The kibbutz security officer was called to the site, and the findings were collected for examination. This area is the same where additional human bones were found in early June; those were later identified as belonging to a terrorist.

Six days after the October 7 attack, Nir'el’s parents, Amir and Osnat Zini, were informed of his death alongside fellow soldier Niv Raviv. It was later revealed that Nir'el’s head was severed and has not been recovered. Since then, the parents have been striving to locate their son's remains for a proper burial, expressing frustration at the lack of clear responsibility among authorities. Amir described feeling misled about the circumstances of Nir'el’s death, saying, "I was made to feel as if he was burned. I didn’t know part of him was taken, the part that is the essence of a person." Osnat added that the ongoing ordeal feels like a second murder, but this time without a clear culprit, calling it "a feeling of deception."

The family reported that despite numerous appeals, they feel abandoned and that the search has become their personal battle. Amir said they have been searching around their home area for nearly three years but cannot enter Gaza itself, as the authorities have not prioritized this mission. He emphasized, "We will not allow there to be a difference between a head and a head. Nir'el’s head, who gave his life for the country, will not be forsaken."

Osnat also appealed directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for assistance, stating she has voted for him in every election and asking for a moment of his time to discuss their plight. She stressed that their son gave his soul to the army and the nation and pleaded, "We cannot do this alone."

The family continues to await forensic results and hopes for official support to recover Nir'el’s remains and achieve closure.