RESCUED: Argentine-born Fernando Marman, beloved handyman

Abducted by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7; sisters and niece were freed on November 28

Fernando Marman, taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023 by Hamas terrorists (Courtesy)
Fernando Marman, taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak on October 7, 2023 by Hamas terrorists (Courtesy)

Fernando Marman was rescued from captivity in Rafah in a daring military operation on February 12, 2024. This is the story of his capture:

Fernando Marman, 60, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak to Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, along with his sister Clara Marman, 62, her partner, Louis Har, their other sister Gabriela Leimberg, 59, and Gabriela’s daughter, Mia Leimberg, 17.

The Leimbergs and Clara Marman were released on November 28 as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the United States between Hamas and Israel.

Fernando Marman and Clara’s partner, Louis Har, remained in Gaza.

Marman, along with his sister Gabriela and her daughter Mia, were visiting the kibbutz for the holiday weekend.

Clara, back in Israel, said that all five were kept together, and at one point, they were moved in a small car to Rafiah, “actually, very close to Nir Yitzhak.” When she, Gabriela and Mia were released, they were sure that Louis and Fernando would be released next.

“We can’t abandon them,” said Clara.

The extended family of five were hiding in their sealed room that morning, trying to keep the heavy door jammed shut with a chair. When the terrorists arrived and shouted at them to leave the room, they were sure they were about to be killed.

Marman, from Kfar Saba, is a handyman who often helped residents of the kibbutz with anything they needed fixed.

The Marman siblings all immigrated to Israel from Argentina.

Most Popular
read more: