An Israeli sibling released by Hamas after 50 days in captivity experienced another nightmare this weekend when they learned that their mother had been slaughtered by the terrorists and their father remains missing.
Noam and Alma Or, aged 16 and 13, are two of 58 hostages released so far as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
They were greeted by joyful grandparents and their older brother Yali, 18, before undergoing a medical examination following their long captivity.
But the teenagers’ joy at regaining their freedom quickly evaporated when they were informed by their uncle Ahal Besorai that their mother Yonat had been shot dead by Hamas attackers on October 7 at Kibbutz Be’eri.
Besorai, a British-Israeli lawyer, told the Guardian how the children broke down when they heard their mother’s fate.
“Unfortunately they didn’t know that my sister, their mother, was murdered,” he said.
“Suddenly they’re visiting their loved ones for the first time in 50 days and the first news they’re confronted with is that their mother is no longer alive. “I think it was very traumatic, there were a lot of tears, a lot of pain.”
Noam and Alma Or, aged 16 and 13, are two of 58 hostages released so far as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas
Dror Or and Yonat Or are pictured in this undated photo. Yonat was killed by Hamas attackers in the massacre on October 7th – Dror remains missing, presumably kidnapped
The Or family can be seen in this undated photo
Yonat Or, her husband Dror and their teenage daughter Alma, 13
As they hugged each other in the hospital, the family learned for the first time the horrific details of the siblings’ separation from their parents during the attack on Kibbutz Be’eri.
Speaking to their uncle over Zoom, the children told Besorai that they sought refuge in a safe room during the attack, but were forced to flee when Hamas gunmen set their house on fire.
They jumped out of a window and sought refuge elsewhere, but were discovered by Hamas attackers and dragged into a stolen car before being kidnapped and driven to Gaza.
There they were kept in a single room for 50 days, with only the company of each other and one other woman with whom Noam and Alma said they had developed a close bond. The trio supported each other in difficult moments, Besorai said.
“You were held with another lady. “I know who she is and they left her behind, they didn’t release her, so now she’s alone in this godforsaken place,” he added.
“I think they smuggled the children to the toilets so she didn’t know they were being released, and then they taped the children’s eyes shut and took them somewhere in their car to deliver them to the Red Cross. ‘
Besorai then told the siblings that the gunmen did not spare Yonat and shot her in cold blood when she tried to hide.
The fate of her father Dror is still unknown – he is missing, probably kidnapped.
Besorai recounted how he was moved to tears as he saw his niece and nephew released and safely placed in an Israeli hospital.
“The first image of Alma on the screen was her bright, sparkling eyes and her big smile.” “Obviously she’s lost weight and looks much, much slimmer, but her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes warm the heart, so I started watching cry.”
He added: “Noam was very chatty and wanted to share. He talked about some personal things he’s been through – maybe talking about it for the first time with someone who loves and cares about him will help him heal.”
Yonat Or was shot dead by Hamas attackers in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7
Mourners attend the funeral of Yonat Or at Palmachim Cemetery in Kibbutz Palmachin, Israel, on October 29, 2023. Ms. Or was killed in the attacks on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7
Thomas Hand, father of Hamas hostage Emily Hand, said his nine-year-old daughter had “lost a lot of weight” after she was finally reunited with her family on Saturday
In the picture, Emily is seen reuniting with her father, while Hila Rotem (second from left), whose mother is still being held hostage, meets with a family member
While some hostages like Noam and Alma are forced to face a new reality in which their parents are dead or kidnapped, others were lucky enough to be reunited with their families.
The father of Hamas hostage Emily Hand said his nine-year-old daughter had “lost a lot of weight” but said she had returned “unharmed.”
Thomas Hand, 63, said he hoped Emily – who spent her ninth birthday in Gaza’s terror tunnels – would recover physically and mentally from the ordeal of 50 days in captivity.
Emily’s father told The Sun: “We got Emily back from the hands of the terrorists in Gaza.”
“She has lost a lot of weight on her face and body, but overall she is doing better than we expected.”
Footage released last week shows Emily running into her father’s arms before they share an emotional embrace. Mr Hand later revealed he had been too afraid to give her a big hug given her weight loss, but vowed to throw her the “biggest birthday party ever”.
Speaking to The Mirror ahead of his daughter’s release, Mr Hand said: “We have waited far too long for this moment. “Every day has been a long and painful nightmare. …my Emily is finally coming home, broken but in one piece.”
After her release, her family added in a statement: “Emily has returned to us.” After 50 challenging and complicated days, we cannot find words to describe our feelings.
“We are overjoyed to embrace Emily again, but at the same time we remember all the hostages who have not yet returned.”
“We would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us over the last 50 days until Emily’s return.”
“We appreciate the unwavering support as we continue our efforts for everyone’s safe return.”