Here Lived
This is the house of Efrat Katz (69) z”l and Gadi Moses (80).
Gadi is an expert agronomist who traveled the world advising on crops in third-world countries. He is a warm and loving man, a Zionist, a farmer at heart, an exemplary father and grandfather, who delighted in every family get-together; who will do anything to help others.
Efrat was a pest-control inspector who worked for many years in the fields of Nir Oz. In recent years, she devoted considerable energy into receiving new young families into the kibbutz. Efrat was a gentle woman, elegant and gracious, the center of her family, the best grandmother ever…
For almost 20 years, Efrat and Gadi shared a great love, cherishing their quiet, modest life together. They also loved get-togethers with their family and friends, traveling abroad to nature sites, and tending their small, lovely garden. Both Efrat and Gadi were active participants in the oenophile society of Nir Oz and contributed their energies and expertise to grape cultivation and winemaking.
October 7th
On October 7, 2023, Gadi and Efrat were at home with Efrat’s daughter, Doron, and Efrat’s two young granddaughters, Raz and Aviv.
That morning, the terrorists entered their home. When the terrorists opened the door to the safe room, Gadi stood in front so as to hide the rest of the family from them. Gadi was taken by the terrorists, and Efrat, Doron, and the girls were left behind.
Later, another gang of terrorists entered and kidnapped Efrat, Doron, Raz, and Aviv. While they were on a cart connected to a tractor taking them to Gaza, an Air Force helicopter shot the moving cart. Efrat was wounded and killed by shrapnel. Doron, Raz, and Aviv were found by other terrorists and kidnapped to Gaza.
What Happened Since
After several long days, Efrat’s body was found in her beloved fields of Nir Oz. Doron, Raz, and Aviv were returned to Israel after 49 days in captivity, as part of the November 2023 hostage deal.
Gadi’s fate became known several days after the horrific Sabbath, when the New York Times published a Gazan journalist’s photo of Gadi being led by terrorists near the Gaza border. In December 2023, the Islamic Jihad terror organization distributed a video of Gadi in captivity, in which he pleaded with the Israeli government not to forget the hostages.
Our beloved Gadi returned to us after 482 days in captivity. About six months after his return (July 30, 2025), Efrat was laid to rest in Nir Oz. We fought for return of all hostages, and after 843 days, the last hostage was laid to rest. Gadi has since returned to Nir Oz, participating in the effort to rehabilitate the kibbutz.
