In a heart-wrenching account shared with philenews, Moran Betzer Tayar maintained a composed voice while articulating the anxiety and pain she and her family have endured for the past three weeks. This turmoil began when Hamas kidnapped her nephew Yogev and his wife Rimon, a couple united by their love for music and laughter, married just two years ago.
Recalling the fateful morning of October 7, Moran described how she and her husband woke up to the news on television. Despite residing far from the Gaza border, her immediate concern was reaching out to her sister, who lives just two and a half kilometres away from the Gaza Strip. Initially reassured that all was well, it became evident that this was no ordinary attack. “My sister quickly understood the magnitude of the assault. From their shelter, she heard terrorists speaking Arabic, killing, and gunshots. However, she didn’t say anything to her son and daughter-in-law to avoid causing them to worry,” Moran recounted.
More than seven hours passed before the Israeli army reached their sister’s home, but there was no trace of Yogev and Rimon. Though signs of intrusion and bloodstains on the walls were visible, indications suggested they were alive. For a while, the couple communicated with their family, only for the messages to cease. In one of the last messages, Yogev expressed love to his mother and apologised for being unable to protect her.
A week later, the Israeli government officially confirmed that their relatives were in the hands of Hamas terrorists. Since then, no updates have surfaced. Neither Hamas nor even the Red Cross, hesitant to enter Gaza, have made contact to locate them.
Like many families in similar circumstances, the Tagiyar family lives in constant fear, unsure of their loved one’s fate. Criticism mounts in Israel over the government’s handling of the situation. “I’m not a politician, I can’t dictate to our government what should have been done. However, what I can say is that they must ensure our loved ones’ safe return. By any means necessary, whether it means military operations should not have occurred or that there should be exchanges for detainees. They all must return; hostages include small children, the sick, and the elderly. Our government must bring them back,” Moran said.
With each new airstrike, their hearts clench, knowing their family might be in Gaza. This fuels Moran’s relentless plea for the hostages’ safe return to their families.
The atmosphere surrounding the situation is heavy. Moran personally stated she doesn’t hold animosity toward Palestinians but against Hamas. “It’s a terrorist organisation that kills and targets both Palestinians and Israelis,” she concluded.