Raz Ben Ami, released after 54 days; husband Ohad still captive
Kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, dual German citizen Raz fights brain tumors with needed medication
Raz Ben Ami was released on November 29 as part of an extended temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the United States between Hamas and Israel. Husband Ohad remains captive in Gaza. This is the story of their capture:
Raz and Ohad Ben Ami, both 57, were taken hostage from their home in Kibbutz Be’eri by Hamas terrorists on October 7, as the terror group slaughtered and kidnapped residents, committing brutal atrocities.
One of their three daughters, Ela, was also on Be’eri and survived.
She had been in touch with her father on WhatsApp that morning, until the moment he was kidnapped, around 10 a.m.
Another daughter, Natalie Ben Ami, lives nearby on Kibbutz Nahal Oz with her boyfriend and was also in touch with her parents until the moment they were abducted.
Ohad’s last message on WhatsApp said, “Shma Yisrael, they’re here,” citing the foundational Jewish prayer.
He then gave her instructions about his will. Both Ohad and Raz have German citizenship.
A photo of Ohad appeared on social media two weeks later, showing him in a T-shirt and underwear, being pulled by his shirt by a terrorist.
A video of Raz also appeared, barefoot and in her pajamas, being pulled by terrorists on the road.
“My mother would never go out barefoot like that,” said Natalie, shaking her head, in a Kan video.
Raz has growths in her brain that press on her nerves and cause terrible pain, according to family members and friends, and can’t survive for long without her medications.
