Tsachi Idan

Tsahi Idan, aged 49, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a community near the border with Gaza. This traumatic event unfolded as his family, including his wife Gali Idan and their three children, sought refuge in their safe room during an intense barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza.

In the early morning hours of October 7, as sirens blared and rockets rained down, Tsahi, his wife Gali, and their children entered their safe room. The family soon realized that Hamas terrorists had infiltrated their home. Tsahi, along with his daughter Maayan, bravely attempted to hold the safe room door shut against the intruders.

The terrorists, speaking English, demanded that the family open the door. When they refused, the attackers opened fire and Maayan, the eldest daughter, was shot and killed, falling into Tsahi's arms.

During this harrowing ordeal, the terrorists filmed the entire attack, capturing the family's pain and terror, which was later broadcast on Facebook Live. The video showed the family huddled together, traumatized by the gunfire and rocket explosions, with Maayan's lifeless body nearby.

Tsahi, deeply affected by his daughter's death, was rendered unable to speak. The terrorists subsequently ordered the family to leave the safe room. Tsahi was later taken away by the terrorists, his hands bound behind his back with a cable tie.

Sharon, Tsahi and Gali's second-eldest daughter, was away during the attack but managed to speak to her father on the phone. His last words to her were, "Sharon, we're in a mess, I will call you later. I love you," before he was taken away. Gali's last words to her husband were, "I love you, don't be a hero, be smart. Take care of yourself, and come back to me in one piece."