IDF announces death in Hamas captivity of hostage Yagev Buchshtav
Abducted from their Kibbutz Nirim home on October 7, wife Rimon Kirsht Buchshtav was released from Gaza on Nov. 28
On July 22, 2024, the Israeli military confirmed the death of Yagev Buchshtav in Hamas captivity, after obtaining new intelligence information. This is what we know of his capture and the initial events that followed.
Yagev Buchshtav, 34, was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nirim on October 7, when Hamas terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz as part of their multi-pronged massacre in southern Israel.
His wife, Rimon Kirsht Buchshtav, was abducted with him and then released on November 28 as part of a temporary ceasefire deal brokered by Qatar and the United States between Hamas and Israel.
The couple was together throughout Rimon’s captivity and she didn’t want to leave Yagev behind, but was told to go willingly or be dragged on the floor.
When Rimon was finally released by Hamas, she shooed away the rifle-toting guard, put her arm around fellow hostage Merav Tal and walked off to the Red Cross vehicle.
On October 7, Rimon and Yagev were hiding in the safe room of their Nirim home. Rimon texted her family that she saw fire and terrorists shooting outside “everywhere.”
She sent her mother one last voice message — Rimon’s parents were also sheltering in a nearby community — “I love you, Mom. I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you. I love you.”
Yagev’s parents live in Nirim and were in touch with them that morning as well. He told his mother that he could hear voices speaking Arabic outside his window and later that they were shooting at his window. She told him to crouch down and stay protected. That was the last communication they had.
It took another week before the army could inform the Kirsht family that they believed that both Rimon and Yagev had been abducted to Gaza.
There were signs of struggle in their safe room, blood and bullet holes and their cats and dogs — they have five of each — were all missing.
The couple, known for creating a home full of music and rescuing abused animals, had initially met in high school and then reconnected years later, marrying in 2021.
Yagev is a musician and soundman who builds his instruments, including electric guitars. The couple’s safe room also functions as his laboratory.
