On the morning of October 7th, Hamas terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz where Tomer Eliaz had grown up, the peaceful and beautiful haven which was Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Tomer, along with his family - mother Dikla, her partner Noam Elyakim, and stepsisters Dafna and Ella - found themselves in the midst of unprecedented horror.
Their story became well-known because Hamas uploaded the attack on Noam’s house to Facebook Live. The three, as well as Noam’s two daughters Dafna (15) and Ella (8), were seated in the living room, Noam already visibly injured and were forced to identify themselves before being taken outside.
After that, the terrorists decided to take Tomer with them to try to lure his neighbors out of their hiding places. "We're going to take him to a few houses to help us and we'll bring him back," they said.
From this point, Tomer was the only resident who witnessed firsthand the unfolding horror in the kibbutz.
Despite the danger, Tomer made a series of courageous decisions during his terrifying ordeal. The terrorists marched him from home to home, barefoot and forced him to tell those hiding inside that it was safe and that they should come out.
And this was when an ordinary 17 year old made choices that would forever cast him as a hero:
1. At his aunt's house, Tomer convinced the terrorists that no one was home, saving those inside.
2. At the Freibach family's house, Tomer signaled to the terrorists that the house was empty, despite knowing full well that the family was definitely hiding inside.
3. When the terrorists forcefully entered another home, Tomer, at great personal risk, retrieved a young child for her mother.
The last confirmed sighting of Tomer was near the kibbutz gate around 1 PM. It's believed that he attempted to escape from the terrorists when he saw IDF soldiers. Tragically, this was when he was shot. His mother Dikla and her partner Noam was also killed that day. Dafna and Ela were kidnapped alone to Gaza and held there until their release on 26 November.
Tomer’s father wrote about losing his son, “Tears have become an integral part of me, they appear at any time and without notice. Everything brings them on: a song, a movie, a friends’ wedding, a sudden thought that enters and pictures running through your head.
Early morning and almost alone on the road. The song “Don’t be afraid” by Ehud Banai was on the radio. Straight away it all came flooding - the memories of traveling with you on the days when you seemed to be troubled, or sitting on something, I put the song on for you and I promised you that you’re not alone in this world, I’m here for anything you need.
And here on this cursed day, I didn’t keep my promise.
You were alone with these bastards, after you went through the trauma at home, they took you with them, and you went out, leaving your mother, Noam and the girls at home without knowing what would be their fate.
And you were on your own! You acted with nobility and valor.
And I? I wasn’t there with you as I promised you so many times.
The thoughts since then eat at me every day, the guilt won’t let go.
Love and miss you my sweetie, and the tears are flowing.”
Tomer. We will never forget your bravery.
יהי זכרו ברוך!