Sahar Kalderon

Freed November 27, 2023

Sahar Kalderon, a 16-year-old girl, was abducted along with her brother and father from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas gunmen during the terror attack on Israel on October 7. This event tragically coincided with what should have been a joyous occasion, the 12th birthday of her brother Erez, which was instead marked by friends, family, and strangers in Tel Aviv releasing yellow balloons and singing "Happy Birthday" in his absence. The poignant moment highlighted the stark contrast between where Sahar, Erez, and their father Ofer should have been—celebrating among loved ones—and his grim reality as a captive in Gaza.

Sharon Kalderon, Sahar's aunt, revealed in an interview with i24NEWS the dire conditions Sahar and Erez endured during their captivity. Initially kept in a house, they were later moved to tunnels and separated, only to be reunited briefly during their transfer to the Red Cross for release. This fleeting moment of reunion amidst their harrowing ordeal underscored the siblings' prolonged suffering and isolation.

The impact of the kidnapping extends beyond Sahar and his immediate family; her mother, Hadas Kalderon, is also grieving the loss of two other relatives, her mother, Carmela Dan, and niece, Noya Dan. Initially believed to be hostages, their bodies were later discovered near Kibbutz Nir Oz, adding to the family's profound grief. Sahar's father, Ofer, remains in captivity in Gaza.