Those we are missing

Taken captive: Itzik Gelernter, arrived at rave two hours before attack

Gelernter’s phone was located in Gaza after he was at the Supernova desert festival on October 7

By ToI Staff 20 November 2023, 8:53 pm 0 Edit

Itzik Gelernter was taken captive by Hamas terrorists from the Supernova desert rave on October 7, 2023 (Courtesy)

Itzik Gelernter, 58, was taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7 at the Supernova desert rave, where some 360 people were killed and at least 40 abducted.

Gelernter wasn’t in touch with his daughter, Yarden Pivko, that morning, although she does know he reached the party just a couple of hours before the attack began around 6:30 a.m.

“We thought he was sleeping in the basement because of the rockets, and there’s no reception down there,” she told several media outlets.

They later found out that he went to the party with a couple of friends, who were killed.

A few days later, the family was notified by the IDF that Gelernter’s phone was located in Gaza, leading the IDF to believe he was taken hostage.

“Dad loves life,” said Pivko. “I’m trying to think good thoughts, I have a powerful, smart, resourceful father.”