On October 7, 2023, three Israeli women with South African roots faced unimaginable trauma. Debbie Chitiz's son Yaron, a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, was killed in battle. Aviva Siegel and her husband Keith were taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, where she spent 51 days in captivity. Liora Ben Tsur fought to save her family, including her newborn daughter, while her husband, children, and mother were trapped on their kibbutz.
For Debbie Chitiz, the day began with a family Shabbat, but it quickly turned into chaos as she learned of the terrorist attacks. Her son Yaron was serving in the IDF's Givati Brigade and was deployed to the south. He returned home for a brief weekend, during which he received an aliya, visited friends, and spent time with his family. Chitiz remembers the weekend as surreal, unaware that it would be his last Shabbat. Yaron was killed two days later, on December 26.
In the months following Yaron's death, Chitiz learned more about her son's bravery and selflessness from people who served alongside him. He was known for helping lone soldiers and resolving problems, and his actions have inspired his family. Chitiz has found solace in swimming, which has become an important part of her coping mechanism. However, she says the hardest part remains the longing for the future Yaron never got to experience.
Aviva Siegel's experience on October 7 was marked by fear and violence. She and her husband Keith were woken by the sound of Israel's nationwide rocket-alert system and were eventually taken hostage by Hamas. Aviva was subjected to starvation, threats, and violence during her 51-day captivity, during which she believed she was going to die. She was convinced that her son, Shai, had been killed, but was later reunited with him.
The trauma of captivity still affects Aviva Siegel, who says everyday experiences can trigger memories of her time in Gaza. She and her husband Keith won't return to live on the Kfar Aza kibbutz, where 64 members of their community were killed. Aviva is still recovering from the trauma and says she is feeling many emotions because of her experiences.
Liora Ben Tsur's experience on October 7 was marked by desperation and loss. She was in hospital with her newborn daughter, Asif, while her husband, other children, and mother were on the Ein HaShlosha kibbutz. Her mother, Marcelle, was murdered on the kibbutz, just a day after meeting Asif for the first time. Ben Tsur decided to return to the kibbutz with her children, despite the trauma, to rebuild and create a future for them.
Three years after October 7, the lives of Debbie Chitiz, Aviva Siegel, and Liora Ben Tsur remain shaped by their experiences. Their stories are a testament to the lasting impact of trauma and the resilience of the human spirit. The women's experiences serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Israel.
Key points
- The three women's lives were forever changed by the events of October 7, 2023.
- Each woman's experience was marked by trauma, loss, and resilience.
- The women's stories highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the people of Israel.
