Ruth Munder

Freed November 24, 2023

Ruth (Ruti), along with her 9-year-old grandson Ohad and her daughter Keren, endured a harrowing 50-day period of confinement in Gaza. Their physical environment, described as "suffocating," involved sleeping on plastic chairs with only a sheet for comfort, reflecting the grim conditions under which they were held. Ohad, Keren's only child, turned 9 while in captivity.

Ruti Munder's account sheds light on the psychological toll of captivity, with the constant presence of fear and uncertainty. The captives, including children, experienced a range of emotions from late-night conversations to tears, signifying the varied coping mechanisms employed in such dire circumstances.

The loss of Ruti's son, Roi Munder, killed in the October 7 attack, and the absence of immediate family members at his funeral due to their captivity, adds a profound depth to their suffering.