Yotam Haim, 28: Heavy metal drummer from Kfar Aza
The musician, last seen in a video he sent his mother before he was abducted on October 7, was shot dead in error by IDF forces in Shejaiya when trying to escape
The IDF confirmed the death of Yotam Haim, 28, who was taken hostage to Gaza and mistakenly killed by the IDF on December 15. This is the story of his capture:
Yotam Haim, 28, a drummer for heavy metal band Persephore, was abducted October 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked his kibbutz, Kfar Aza.
His death was announced on December 15 by the IDF Spokesman, who said he was killed along with two other hostages in Shejaiya, northern Gaza. The three were trying to escape but were misidentified by IDF soldiers as terrorists and killed.
Yotam was last seen in a video he took on the morning of October 7, showing himself in the front door of his Kfar Aza home, according to what his mother, Iris Haim, told the AP.
He texted the video to his mother, in which the sounds of gunfire can be heard before he headed back inside.
The family found out that Yotam’s house was set on fire by the terrorists, but haven’t found out any other information. They were later informed that Yotam was taken hostage in Gaza.
Yotam’s brother, Tuvi Haim, is also a drummer and performs with Netta Barzilai’s band.
“My brother, please come back to me, we are waiting,” wrote Tuvi on one of his Facebook pages.
Members of Yotam’s band, along with his brother and other friends, gathered and “just jammed,” Iris Haim told AP.
“I think when I heard them play it was like opening my tear ducts,” she said. “It made me able to cry.”
