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The Jewish New Year celebrations in Jerusalem this October were overshadowed by the anniversary of a violent attack by Hamas on Israel. The recent violence on October 1, which resulted in seven deaths and 16 injuries in Tel Aviv, added to the somber mood. Israeli authorities described the incident as a "combined shooting and stabbing attack" targeting public transportation users.
Nearly 100 families are still waiting for news about their loved ones held hostage in Gaza since last year. Among them is Sagui, an American-Israeli who was kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack while defending Kibbutz Nir Oz. His father, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, has been tirelessly working for his son's release. Reflecting on the past year, Dekel-Chen described it as a "living hell."
Dekel-Chen's daughter survived the attack by hiding with her children in a safe room. In response to the abductions, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at freeing hostages and dismantling Hamas' infrastructure. This offensive led to significant destruction in Gaza and prompted U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to call it "a moral stain on us all." According to reports from Gaza's Health Ministry, over 41,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began.
Kibbutz Nir Oz suffered heavily with around 180 members killed or abducted. Survivors now live in Kiryat Gat and face challenges adapting from rural life to urban settings. Dekel-Chen emphasized their struggle: “We lost our homes and we lost our way of life.”
Filipino caregiver Camille F. Jesalva shared her experience of protecting Nitza Hefetz during the attack at Kibbutz Nirim. Despite considering returning to the Philippines after her ordeal, Jesalva chose to continue caring for Hefetz out of commitment.
Jesalva expressed hope for peace: “It is so bad about the war. I hope it will be finished soon.” Meanwhile, Dekel-Chen continues efforts alongside other families to secure hostage releases through diplomatic channels.
The situation remains complex with ongoing military actions and regional tensions escalating into Lebanon. Dekel-Chen warned that unresolved issues could lead to broader conflicts: “Most of the hostage families have been warning from the very beginning that not finishing this conflict in Gaza risks a regional escalation.”
Judith Sudilovsky reported from Jerusalem for OSV News.
