Itzik Elgarat

Itzik Elgarat, age 69, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7. Hamas gunmen fired into his safe room, and he was shot through his safe room door, sustaining injuries, and subsequently taken captive by the terrorists.

Itzik's brother, Danny Elgarat, a former Ashdod police commander, had a harrowing phone conversation with him during the attack. Itzik had gone to lock the safe room door when the terrorists opened fire on it. Danny could hear yelling and distress in the background as Itzik conveyed his fear and desperation, saying, "Danny, this is the end, this is the end."

Later that day, at 12:10, Danny found that Itzik's phone was located in Gaza, confirming their worst fears that he had been taken hostage.

In the days following the attack, Danny visited Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he witnessed the aftermath of the violence. He described smelling the acrid scent of burning plastic throughout the kibbutz and seeing the ruins of his brother's home, which had been vandalized and torn apart.

Itzik is known as a good-hearted man who enjoys working with his hands. He holds Danish citizenship and has two children living in Denmark. His interests include traveling and appreciating nature, and he is a devoted fan of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team.