Those we have lost

Ofra Keidar, 70, captured during an early morning walk

Abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, the IDF confirmed her death in captivity on December 2

By ToI Staff 21 November 2023, 8:40 pm

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Ofra Keidar, right, and her daughter Yael Keidar. Ofra was taken captive by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, 2023 and died in captivity. Her death was confirmed by the IDF on December 2, 2023. (Courtesy)

On December 2, the IDF confirmed the death of Ofra Keidar, 70, who was taken hostage to Gaza. This is the story of her capture:

Ofra Keidar, 70, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, as they rampaged through Kibbutz Be’eri, killing at least 112 residents and abducting others.

Keidar went for a walk early in the morning and hasn’t been heard from since.

Her husband, Sami Keidar, was killed in the family’s safe room and their daughter, Yael Keidar, who has a mild intellectual disability, hid in the safe room and emerged hours later, waiting until it was quiet outside.

It took another two weeks for the family to be officially informed that Ofra was taken hostage to Gaza.

Yael’s brother, Oran Keidar, and his family also live in Be’eri and survived. They are now housed in a hotel in the Dead Sea where they sat shiva for Sami, Oran’s father.

Yael is staying with her aunt, Ofra’s sister, Hana Shedmi, who takes her to visit Oran and his family at the Dead Sea every weekend.

“I know it’s hard for me, but it’s even harder for Yael,” said Shedmi. “She and Ofra have a very strong connection. But Yael is strong.”