Video Released of Hamas Kidnapping Israeli Couple Rimon Kirsh and Yagav Buchstab from Kibbutz Nirim

For the first time since the October 7 attack, footage has been released showing the kidnapping of Israeli couple Rimon Kirsh and Yagav Buchstab from their home in Kibbutz Nirim near the Gaza Strip. The video, published on Monday, depicts the couple being forcibly taken by Hamas militants while refusing to let go of each other's hands during the abduction.

Rimon Kirsh was released after 53 days in captivity as part of the first prisoner exchange deal in November 2023. Her husband, Yagav Buchstab, remained in Hamas custody and was later killed in Khan Yunis. His body was recovered by Israeli Defense Forces in August 2024.

Alongside the video release, Rimon gave her first extensive interview detailing her experience in captivity. She described her determination not to be separated from Yagav despite Hamas militants' attempts, her efforts to gather intelligence on her captors to aid Israel if she survived, and the harsh conditions including violence and hunger. Rimon recounted defending Yagav by stabbing a militant in the hand with a hidden fork, which led to her being beaten, yet she continued shielding him from harm.