Here lived
This was the home of the Gefen family: Ziv, Talia, and their three daughters Yaheli (17), Hila (16), and Or Shai (9).
Our lives followed a routine: Ziv worked in the army, as he still does; Talia worked for the local council in the special education system, and the girls studied in the local school.
We also had a dog named Shoko, who passed away peacefully at the old age of 16. The girls were very fond of it.
Before October 7, there were riots along the border fence. I (Talia) felt that we should be organized, do the laundry, and be ready to evacuate when we are told.
October 7th
On October 7, a Saturday, at 6 a.m., I went out early for my daily walk. Everything was quiet; everyone was still asleep.
I arrived at the operations room and then remembered that I needed to turn on the dryer. I returned home, turned it on, and was about to leave again when the Red Alert siren sounded.
I entered the safe room and called Yaheli. Ziv picked up Or Shai from the bedroom, and we quickly went into the safe room. Hila, our middle daughter, slept in the safe room until noon.
Then we got a message to close and lock the window and the door to the safe room because there are terrorists in the clinic disguised as soldiers.
Ziv held the handle of the door to the safe room to keep it locked and I calmly took charge of the girls and kept my cool. Ziv, the father, stood guard by the door.
Terrorists came into the house several times and we heard a lot of gunfire. They piled up pieces of paper to try and burn down the house. They tried to open the door and spoke in Hebrew to convince us to come out.
We kept quiet. After many long hours, soldiers arrived, accompanied by Yaron Maor. We went to the operations room, and from there to the kibbutz children’s house. The next day we traveled to Eilat.
What Happened Since
Today we are living in Karme Gat with the entire community of Nir Oz, maintaining a routine and holding on to hope.
