During the attacks of Oct. 7th, Hamas and other terrorist groups abducted an estimated 240 Israelis and foreign nationals. In the months since some of these hostages have been released while some have been declared dead. We encourage you to explore these stories of those still waiting to come home, and reflect on how the stories and their themes can be introduced to your learners.
Note: All stories connected to the October 7 Massacre discuss disturbing and traumatic elements, of varying degrees. We recommend previewing any content before sharing.
Alon Ohel, a talented young jazz pianist, was kidnapped from the Nova party on October 7th, and has been held hostage in Gaza ever since. His family has spent the months time since sending him good vibes and good music. In this episode, his mother, Idit Ohel, talks about the importance of energy, friendship and hope during these dire times.
Karina Ariev, a 19-year-old corporal, was stationed at the Nahal Oz military base on the border with Gaza. Her family hasn’t heard from her since the morning of Saturday, October 7, when she was—most likely—abducted to Gaza. Karina’s sister, Sasha, shares what life has been like since that fateful day.
Content Warning: Sasha details her last correspondence with her sister before she was kidnapped.
The Times of Israel has curated information on many of the hostages and victims who were taken on October 7, 2023, including those whose fate is still unknown. Each piece includes a photograph, their name, and a brief description of who they were.
The BBC has collected the stories of those hostages who are still being held, which have either been confirmed by the BBC or credibly reported. This list is regularly updated and names may change, as some people feared kidnapped are confirmed to have been killed or released.
This initiative has collected stories from all of those who were kidnapped by Hamas. Their goal is the safe and immediate return of the hostages, already thousands have joined the movement by hanging photos of the hostages in dozens of cities around the world.
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