Slain hostage Ofra Keidar laid to rest in Kibbutz Be’eri after IDF recovers her body in Gaza

Former slain hostage Ofra Keidar, whose body was recovered by Israeli troops earlier this week, was laid to rest earlier today by her family and community in Kibbutz Be’eri.

The 71-year-old was murdered by Hamas-led terrorists while on an early morning walk near her home on October 7, 2023. Her body was then taken into Gaza.

Keidar’s children speak at the funeral about the closure of their personal journey since October 7 and of their appreciation to the IDF forces for rescuing her body for proper burial.

“After they told us you had been recovered from Gaza, I couldn’t stop replaying our last phone conversation in my head — the photos and videos I saw, the situation we were in at home, and the state you were in when you faced the terrorists,” says her son Elad Keidar, who apologizes for not being able to help her on October 7.

His sister, Yael Keidar, a woman with special needs, speaks as well, telling her mother that she misses her hugs and continues on her mother’s path, swimming, caring for animals and giving love to all of those around her.

“My dear brothers Elad and Oren are always by my side, even when things are difficult for me,” says Yael Keidar.

The slain kibbutznik was remembered by friends and family as a lover of exercise who never missed her morning walks, loved gardening, swimming and animals — and worked for decades in the kibbutz’s dairy farm, milking cows.

Einav Keidar, Ofra’s daughter-in-law, says her children miss their grandmother.

“Today, we are granted this moment to bid you farewell in peace,” says Einav Keidar. “You are deep within our thoughts and hearts. We love you, and ask that you watch over us from above because we are very tired.”

“I long for days of unity and unconditional love among our people, but above all, our moral obligation and ability to heal ourselves will come only after the return of the remaining hostages: those who are alive for rehabilitation and those for proper burial in the land of Israel.”

Amit Shalvi, a fellow Kibbutz Be’eri member and friend, notes that Keidar’s family now has a grave they can visit. He says there are five Be’eri members, Yossi Sharabi, Ilan Weiss, Dror Or, Manny Godard and Sahar Baruch among the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are assumed to be alive and 30 deceased.