Slain hostage Yair Yaakov laid to rest in Kibbutz Nir Oz

Yair ‘Yaya’ Yaakov, who was killed by invading terrorists on October 7, 2023, outside his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and his body taken hostage, was buried at the kibbutz cemetery on Friday, after IDF forces recovered his body on June 12.

Yaakov, who had three children and lived with his partner, Meirav Tal, on Nir Oz, grew up in Ofakim and settled in Nir Oz when he married the mother of his children, Renana Gome.

On October 7, both Yaya and Meirav were taken hostage from their home. Yaya was killed, while Meirav was released in a weeklong truce that November.

His two teenage sons, Or and Yagel, were alone at their mother’s house that day and were also taken hostage and released in November. His daughter Shir, the oldest of the three siblings, was at her own home in the kibbutz and survived the onslaught.

Yaya is described as a man of the land who will be remembered for his friendship, modesty and laughter, and his love for sharing a beer and listening to music with friends.

His children, partner, siblings, and former wife all speak of Yaya’s dream to travel around the world by caravan once he turned 60. He was 59 when he was killed.

Musician Eviatar Banai sings two songs, “Abba” (Father) and “Layla KeYom Yair.”

Shir says that with her father gone, every day is Memorial Day, while her brother Or says it is hard to speak about his father in the past.

“I’m so glad we got to this moment, to these last words, to be able to say goodbye,” says Yagel, his youngest son, who marked his bar mitzvah while his father was still in captivity. “I can’t believe this happened to our family and our home.”

Yagel says through tears that he and his father fought a lot, but that their last night together, on October 6, “was the best night, really a night of goodbyes.”

He says that every time he drinks beer, plays backgammon, or hears a favorite song, it will remind him of his father.

Meirav, Yaya’s partner, says that perhaps it took a long time to return his body for burial because the world was not quite ready to make them part.

She says he was the funniest person she knew, but that he didn’t know how funny he was.

“You’re still with me all the time, in every breath and thought,” says Meirav. “Your kids are always with me, they don’t leave me for a moment — and I look at them and see you — your look, your smile.”

Yaya’s ex-wife, Renana Gome, speaks about the complicated relations they had in recent years, but she’s proud they succeeded despite the complications.

“We saw images of you on your feet on October 7 and had huge hopes that you’d return,” says Gome. “I hope you didn’t suffer. You can be sure I’ll take care of our children, and we will remember you as you were.”