Clara Marman

Clara Marman, a 63-year-old resident of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, experienced profound emotional turmoil following her abduction to the Gaza Strip by Hamas terrorists on October 7, alongside her partner, Louis Har, her brother, Fernando Marman, and other family members. Upon her eventual release, Clara's relief was overshadowed by the continued captivity of Louis and Fernando, leaving her with a sense of incompleteness and a deep emotional burden.

Clara expressed her distress, stating, "I'm quite desperate. I was supposed to be very happy after being released from the Gaza Strip, but a part of me remains there - both my partner and my brother." This sentiment underscores the psychological impact of her ordeal, highlighting the difficulty of achieving a sense of freedom while loved ones remain in captivity.

Her narrative sheds light on the complex dynamics of the hostage releases, which occurred in phases. Clara was part of the fifth phase, indicating a structured process managed by intermediaries. The initial hope that families would be released together was shattered by the stipulation that only children and women would be released, forcing a painful separation from the men in her family. This separation was marked by poignant goodbyes, filled with hopeful assurances of a swift reunion that has yet to materialize.

"We were informed in advance that there would be releases; I was part of the fifth phase, the intermediaries updated us, and we knew that every day we could potentially leave. Different lists were passed every day until we finally left, and we were prepared in advance."

"Before the operation started, they said we were a package deal as a family and would leave together. However, when the process began, they stated it was only children and women, and the men would stay. So, we were already prepared, discussing it among ourselves. For my sister and me, it was very difficult; we said there was no chance, and we only wanted to leave together. But Fernando and Louis said, 'No chance, you're leaving.' They tried to handle it as calmly as possible so that we wouldn't suffer, but it was hard for both us and them."

"We said our goodbyes with hugs, 'Just three more days, and we'll meet again,' we said because we were convinced that the releases would continue. We never thought everything would come to a halt," Clara continued.

"We thought there must be more children, a few more women, and then they would start with the men. 'See you soon,' we said. At that point, it wasn't dramatic externally, but it was incredibly tough for us. Louis is a father of four and a grandfather to ten grandchildren. I asked him what message to convey to the family, and he said, 'Wait for me in the green gardens, tell them I love them very much, and soon we'll see each other and embrace.' And then we hugged and parted ways."

Clara expressed her deepest concern about the emotional and mental state of Louis and Fernando. "The mental state is what worries me the most, both health-wise and emotionally, because there, it's just waiting. Second after second with no action, no choice in what to do. My greatest concern is that they will break emotionally. Regarding the conditions and relations with the returnees, I don't want to elaborate. I just want to protect them, so I don't want to expose all the details. I can only say that the biggest difficulty there is the time that doesn't pass and the lack of action, a feeling of nothing.

"I am undergoing both physical and mental rehabilitation with a psychologist. I joined the fight of my daughters, who fought like lionesses in the Families' Hostages and Missing Tent, giving interviews both in Israel and abroad, traveling all over the world. Now I am trying to strengthen myself just to get into the struggle, to exert all my strength to try to succeed in bringing them back."