Here Lived
This house was the home of Osnat and Shlomo Golani since 1980 through October 7, 2023, the start of the Swords of Iron war.
Their five children, Einav, Aviv, Sivan, Ma’ayan, and Merav, left the kibbutz after their military services and their academic education. They all moved away and settled in various communities in Israel. Thus, they were not in our Nir Oz home during the October 7th attack.
Ever since we arrived in Kibbutz Nir Oz in 1977, we got attached to the place, to the scenery of the kibbutz and surrounding area, and to the people in the community. We felt this would be our home for the rest of our lives. Shlomo worked in education and provided therapy for families and children. Osnat worked as a special education teacher and later as a secretary in the Nirlat factory.
In recent years, Shlomo fell ill and required nursing care. He was assisted by a foreign caregiver, and Osnat supported him and cared for his needs.
Over the years, the children and grandchildren visited regularly and kept a close, supportive connection.
October 7th
On Saturday, October 7, at 6:30 a.m., we heard rocket sirens, loud explosions, screaming in Arabic, and loud noises around our house from the monsters, the Hamas terrorists from Gaza who came to destroy our kibbutz.
They tried to break into the house, banging, sawing at the door, shouting and cursing. But they failed to open the steel front door, so they moved on to harm the neighbors.
We were locked in the safe room for many hours without knowing what was happening in the kibbutz and without proper conditions for such a long stay. In the late afternoon, Israeli soldiers arrived, rescued us, and took us to a gathering point for the survivors of the horrific events that the community had endured.
We were not harmed physically, but we endured hours of intense fear for our lives, which had a profound impact on all of us.
What Happened Since
Our beloved Shlomo passed away in February 2024 from his illness, depression, and broken heart.
Osnat is currently living in Karme Gat and is trying to rebuild her life.
