On May 7, 2024, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed the death of Lior Rudaeff, 61, who was murdered on October 7, and his body was taken hostage to Gaza. Below are the initial reports of what we then knew of his presumed capture:
Lior Rudaeff, 61, has been missing since early in the morning of October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak.
The ambulance driver and volunteer medic was up early that morning, preparing for a motorcycle ride to the Ramon Crater, when he got a call from the kibbutz emergency squad to protect the community.
Rudaeff went out to join the battle for the kibbutz, and later sent a message that he had been hurt. He sent his love to his wife, Yaffa, and his four children, and since then, all communication was lost.
“He’s my hero uncle,” said his niece, Yael, in an interview with Kan radio on November 6.
She noted that Lior suffered a significant heart attack two years ago, and relies on his medications, which he wouldn’t have with him in Gaza.
The family hasn’t received any official notification from the army about Lior’s whereabouts.
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