Chen Goldstein Almog

Chen Goldstein-Almog, 48, along with three of her children, Agam, 17, Gal, 11, and Tal, 9, were taken captive by Hamas terrorists during a violent attack on their community in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. In the same harrowing incident, Chen's husband, Nadav Goldstein-Almog, and their eldest daughter, Yam Goldstein-Almog, were killed within the safe room of their home. This tragic event marked another chapter of suffering for the Almog family, which had previously lost five members in a suicide bombing in Haifa in October 2003.

During the days following the attack, the fate of Chen and her three children remained uncertain until they were officially declared captives. Omri Almog, Chen's brother, described the chaos and loss that befell the family, noting that the kibbutz had turned into a "battlefield."

Throughout her captivity, Chen and her children experienced a range of interactions with their captors. They were mostly held together in various locations, including apartments, tunnels, and a mosque. Despite the dire circumstances, there were instances of unexpected humanity; Chen recounted engaging in long, intimate conversations with the guards about their lives and fears, revealing a complex picture of the individuals involved in the conflict. Remarkably, one of the gunmen even apologized for the killing of her husband and daughter, an apology to which Chen felt unable to respond.

The daily life of the captives was marked by simplicity and routine, with most of their diet consisting of pita and feta cheese. Chen noted that while they were treated "respectfully" and not physically harmed, the experience was fraught with terror, especially during the night-time transfers. This constant state of fear was a testament to the psychological strain of captivity.

Despite the relative restraint shown towards Chen and her children, she was aware of other hostages who suffered grievously, including two women who confided in her about being sexually abused. This juxtaposition of her own experience with those of others underscores the varied and unpredictable nature of captivity under Hamas.

In a chilling parting message, the lead guard warned Chen against returning to Kibbutz Kfar Aza, ominously advising her to relocate further from Gaza, as "we are coming back." This threat lingered as a haunting reminder of the ongoing conflict and the potential for future violence.