The 11 hostages released today are all from Kibbutz Nir Oz. They include 2 mothers, and 9 children from five families. The fathers of all five families are still being held by Hamas.
Sharon Aloni-Cunio, 33, and her children, Emma, 3, and Yuli, 3
On October 7th, the Aloni-Cunio family hid in their bomb shelter, until Hamas set their home on fire and forced them to come out, where they were taken hostage. Together with them was Sharon’s husband—the children’s father, David Cunio; and Sharon’s sister, Danielle, and her daughter Emilia, who were released yesterday. David, who was born and grew up in Nir Oz, is still being held by Hamas, as is his brother, Ariel Cunio.
Karina Engel-Bart, 51, and her children, Mika, 18, and Yuval, 10
Karina very recently completed treatment for cancer, and her hair was just beginning to grow back. Her partner, and the children’s father, Ronen Engel, is still being held by Hamas.
Siblings Sahar Calderon, 16, and Erez Calderon, 12
The siblings were taken hostage with their father, Ofer Calderon, while hiding outside—their father is still being held in Gaza. Their grandmother and cousin were killed by Hamas, while their older brother, sister, and mother, each survived in separate locations.
Siblings Or Yaakov, 16, and Yagil Yaakov, 12
The brothers were home alone when Hamas attacked, and called their mother to say they were hiding in their bomb shelter. Or, the older brother, tried to hold the door back, but the terrorists overpowered him. The last words their mother heard over the phone was Yagil saying, “don’t take me, I’m too young!”
The boys’ father, Yair Yaakov, was taken hostage from a different location, and is still being held by Hamas.
Eitan Yahalomi, 12
Eitan, described as a very sensitive child, was home with his his parents, Ohad and Batsheva, and two younger siblings when Hamas stormed their kibbutz. The family hid in their bomb shelter, but the door didn’t lock, so Ohad stood outside with his gun to guard the family. When the terrorists arrived, Ohad bravely engaged in a gun battle, but was overpowered and shot.
The terrorists took Batsheva and two younger siblings on the back of a moped, and Eitan on the back of another, with an unnamed foreign worker. On the way to Gaza, the two were separated, and Batsheva found a chance to escape with the younger children. It was later found out that Ohad was also taken to Gaza, where he is still being held captive by Hamas.
©2023 B. Efune