Bedouin Worker and Kibbutz Member Survive October 7 Terror Attack Through Unexpected Alliance

On the morning of October 7, during the deadly terror attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, Aya Midan was cycling back to the kibbutz when she nearly entered an area overrun by militants. Her life was saved by an unexpected encounter with Hesham Elkrenawi, a 22-year-old Bedouin from Rahat who worked in the kibbutz dining hall. Despite initial mistrust, Aya feared Hesham might be a terrorist, while Hesham feared being mistaken for one by Israeli forces, the two hid together for seven tense hours in a nearby thicket.

Hesham recorded their time in hiding on his watch, fearing for their lives and wanting to document the attackers. The two barely knew each other before the attack but formed a deep bond through their shared ordeal. Aya recalls thinking she was about to die, while Hesham describes the terror of being caught between militants and Israeli soldiers. After escaping the immediate danger, they were almost shot by IDF soldiers who mistook them for terrorists, but Aya convinced the soldiers of their innocence.

Hesham later enlisted in the Israeli police, inspired by the experience and his desire to help others. Aya and Hesham have maintained close contact since the attack, supporting each other through the trauma. Aya admits she initially suspected Hesham due to his ethnicity but overcame her prejudice as their friendship grew. Recently, Aya attended Hesham’s graduation from the Israeli police scout course, proudly calling him her hero.

Their story highlights the complex human relationships and unexpected acts of courage amid the chaos of the October 7 massacre at Kibbutz Be'eri.