In a heart-wrenching scene at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem today, Merav Berger was captured on video praying for her daughter Agam's safe return from Hamas captivity. The young IDF soldier was kidnapped during the October 7 attacks, just two days after arriving at her military post.
"Mother Rachel, bring them home," Berger pleaded at the holy site, which holds deep significance for Jewish mothers throughout history. Rachel's Tomb, traditionally considered the burial place of the biblical matriarch Rachel, has long been a pilgrimage site for prayers of protection and return of children.
Agam Berger, a promising lookout soldier, was serving at the Nahal Oz military post near the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists breached the security fence during their unprecedented attack on Israeli communities. She had arrived at the post just 48 hours earlier, following a last-minute reassignment from Kerem Shalom.
Agam's youngest brother Ilai was forced to celebrate his Bar Mitzvah without his sister present, marking the religious coming-of-age ceremony while she remains in captivity. "Wherever you are, that's your destiny," were among the last words Merav spoke to her daughter, just two days before the kidnapping – words that now haunt the grieving mother.
Before her capture, Agam had shown exceptional promise in her military service. After spending a year at the "Gal" pre-military academy in Acre, she enlisted in the IDF and quickly distinguished herself during training. Selected for the prestigious leadership track, she was chosen as a squad commander with potential for officer training.
When asked during her training why she deserved a leadership position, Agam wrote words that now carry profound poignancy: "I see this role as a mission. I want to give soldiers a sense of faith and security." Her commitment to service reflected a deep sense of duty that her mother says characterized her daughter's approach to life.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which released the footage of Merav's prayers, continues to advocate for the release of all remaining hostages. Agam is among the approximately 130 hostages still held in Gaza, following the release of some captives during a temporary ceasefire in November.
Today's emotional scene at Rachel's Tomb resonates deeply within Israeli society, where the fate of the hostages remains a daily source of national anguish. The image of a mother praying at the ancient tomb of Rachel – known in Jewish tradition as the "eternal mother" who weeps for her children – has struck a particularly powerful chord.
"Every day without her is an eternity," Merav said in a recent statement. "We won't rest until Agam and all the hostages are home. They must not be forgotten."
The Berger family continues to participate in weekly rallies in Tel Aviv, where thousands gather regularly to demand the return of all hostages. Their story, like those of other hostage families, has become part of a national trauma that continues to unfold as the war enters its 16th month.
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