Ilan Weiss killed as part of Kibbutz Be’eri’s emergency team on Oct. 7
His wife and one daughter were taken captive to Gaza on October 7 and released November 25
On January 1, Kibbutz Be’eri confirmed the death of Ilan Weiss, 56, who was considered missing and presumed captive since October 7. This is what we know of the events of October 7 and its aftermath:
Ilan Weiss, 56, from Kibbutz Be’eri was considered missing since October 7 after Hamas terrorists rampaged the kibbutz on October 7. Kibbutz Be’eri confirmed on January 1 that he was killed that day.
His wife, Shiri Weiss, 53, and daughter, Noga Weiss, 18, were abducted when gunmen attacked the kibbutz, killing, assaulting, burning and kidnapping those who lived there.
Ilan left the house at 7:15 that morning to join the kibbutz emergency squad and wasn’t heard from since.
Shiri and Noga Weiss were released on November 25 as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the United States between Hamas and Israel.
“My father is still missing,” said one of his three daughters at a rally for families and supporters of the hostages while Ilan’s fate was uncertain. “Your family and the Be’eri community loves you, cares for you and is waiting for you.”
When the terrorists entered the Weiss home, Noga hid under the bed in the safe room and watched as Hamas gunmen took her mother captive.
She texted the rest of the family on WhatsApp, telling them that the gunmen set fire to the house. As it became difficult to breathe, Noga’s older sister told her to escape through the window of the safe room and hide in a bush.
Noga texted her sister at 11:30 a.m. that a terrorist was approaching her hiding spot, which was the last time anyone heard from her until her release from captivity.
Noga’s sisters, Meytal, 23, and Maayan, 26, both lived in separate student apartments in Be’eri, and hid in their safe rooms for nearly 12 hours until Israeli soldiers were able to rescue them.
The Weiss family are part of an extended clan at Kibbutz Be’eri that was deeply affected by the massacre that took place on that black Shabbat.
Ilan’s brother and sister-in-law, Amir and Mati, also lived in Be’eri, along with their four children and families. Amir and Mati were killed after terrorists threw grenades into their home.
The Weiss family dog, Ketem, was also killed on October 7; Ilan Weiss’s daughters said they used to tease their father that the beloved dog was the son their father never had.
The Times of Israel Community.