Gabriela Leimberg (59) and her daughter Mia Leimbach (17) from Jerusalem
Gabriela Leimberg(59) and her daughter Mia Leimbach (17) reside in Jerusalem. On the Saturday of Oct. 7, they were hosted at Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak by Clara Marman, Gabriela's sister (who was also abducted, along with another brother - Fernando Marman). When the attack began, several family members hid in the safe room, but the terrorists broke in, vandalized and destroyed the house, and kidnapped them to Gaza. Since that day, Moshe Leimberg, Gabriela's husband, has been waiting for his wife and daughter.
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Gabriela is the director of a therapeutic day center at the NGO SHEKEL - Inclusion for People with Disabilities, where she serves as a mother figure to dozens of children and adults dealing with autism, providing support to many families, all of whom are waiting for her return. Mia is a 12th-grade student at an arts school, specializing in music.
Video: Israeli hostages being handed over by Hamas on November 28, 2023 / Credit: Social media
Eitan, a friend of Mia's, spoke about her warm-hearted nature: "I arrived at school in 7th grade, a new kid in a challenging period in my life, and she took care of me. She's the best friend I have." Another friend of Mia added: "No matter how horrible things she's going through now, she should know that there are many people waiting for her and thinking about her. That she is not alone." On the day of the abduction, Mia's dog, Bella, who was with her on the kibbutz, disappeared. Since then, Moshe the father has been searching for her – so that she can be reunited with Mia. Among other things, he tried to see if she was given up for adoption by volunteers.
Clara Marman (63) from Nir Yitzhak
Clara Marman (63), a legendary kindergarten teacher, hosted several family members, including her sister Gabriela and her daughter Mia Leimbach, and her brother Fernando Marman, on October 7th. Her partner, Luis Har (70), was also with them. When the attack started, some family members hid in the safe room, but the terrorists broke in, vandalized and destroyed the house, and kidnapped all five to Gaza.
Video: Hamas propaganda video on the release of Israeli captives on November 28, 2023
Mayan Sigal-Koren, Clara's daughter: "The connection between my mom and her two brothers is strong; it's not for nothing that they came together to Gaza. My mom is the most loving woman in the world. She's been an educator for thirty years, taking care of all the children in the kibbutz. I want my mom, and I want my family more than anything because I need them, they she is there and they are there."
Ofelia Roitman (77) from Nir Oz
Ofelia Roitman (77) came to Israel from Argentina, holding Argentine citizenship. She is the wife of Hector, a mother of three children, and grandmother of nine grandchildren. At 09:37, she sent her last message, asking for help, stating that the terrorists were in her house. Since then, the contact has been severed.
Natalie Madmon, Ofelia's daughter, said:: "My mom has been an educator all her life, for about twenty years teaching first and second-grade classes. I'm sure that if there are children there and she is in an environment where she can bake cookies for them and give them something to drink, she is doing it because that's who she is. An amazing woman, a woman of peace who does not belong to this cursed war!"
Rimon Kirsht from Nirim
Rimon Kirsht, 36, from Kibbutz Nirim, was abducted with her husband Yagev, 34. The family received a proof-of-life video from Hamas. Rimon and Yagev knew each other from school days and played in the high-school band. Yagev was born in Kibbutz Nirim, and Rimon was born in Kibbutz Magen. They got married two years ago. Both are musicians; Yagev builds and plays guitars, while Rimon is a percussionist. The safe room from which they were abducted was Yagev's workshop, where he built his guitars.
In a family statement, it was mentioned that three years ago, Rimon broke her leg, and Yagev went to help a bit and stayed. They became an inseparable couple who love animals and raise five dogs and four stray cats.
Ditza Heiman (84) from Nir Oz
Dita Haiman, 84, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, is a retired social worker with an illustrious career. For many years, she managed the social services department in the Eshkol Regional Council, and even after her retirement, she continued to work at the Parents and Children Center in Beersheba.
When her family heard about the attack in the south, they contacted her. However, around 10:00 AM, she stopped answering, and they were unable to reach her. In the afternoon, the family made another attempt to call her mobile, but those who answered were Hamas terrorists. Testimonies from neighbors indicated that she was heard shouting for help. But they failed to help her due to the large number of terrorists. One of the testimonies is that the terrorists forced her to walk with them. Neta, the daughter, recounted:"When I imagine my mom there, she takes care of everyone. I imagine her taking care of all the children. That's my mom, she will take care of everyone, if only she could. If only they would let her."
Merav Tal (53) from Nir Oz
On that fateful Saturday, Merav Tal was together with her partner Yair Jacob(Ya-Ya), the father of Or (16) and Yagil (12) Jacob. The two sons were released from Hamas captivity this week, while he remained behind. On that Saturday, Merav managed to send voice messages to her family, in which she said: "They are inside the house, shooting at us in the room. They are inside the room screaming, help me, call the police," and a video of her from the moments of the abduction was circulated.
Rachel, Merav's mother, recounted during the recent period that "we have this video we received on that day here in my mind. I hear her all the time: "Mom, help me, help me." Even Yuval, her younger sister, testified that the images do not leave her for a moment: "Every night, before I close my eyes, I hear Merav saying: 'Help me.''
Merav owns a clothing store in Gedera and her family describes her as a dominant woman who certainly takes care of the children. As mentioned, Merav Tal (54) came from Rishon LeZion to Kibbutz Nir Oz to celebrate the holiday with her partner Yair (Ya-Ya) Jacob (59). This is a particularly emotional chapter for both of them, parents of grown children, who chose to weave a new relationship.
Nuralin Babadilla (60) from Yehud: Nurit (60) was kidnapped to Gaza from Kibbutz Nirim, where she came to visit her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he was murdered in the tragic events. On social networks, she was described as a beloved woman by her family and friends who eagerly await her return every day.
Ada Sagi (75) from Nir Oz: Ada (75) from Kibbutz Nir Oz is a mother of three children and a grandmother to six grandchildren. On her 75th birthday, she was supposed to celebrate in London with her son who lives there and even bought a plane ticket. Instead, she was caught up in the events in the Hamas captivity. On the fateful Saturday, the family was still in contact with Adad until 9:30, but then they lost contact with her. Signs of struggle were found in her home, indicating that she fought against terrorists and did not give up.
Her daughter, Navit Sela, said, "My mom is a good woman, a good mother, a good grandmother. She was a Hebrew and Arabic teacher, born and raised in Tel Aviv, and came to Nir Oz as part of her youth movement, where she met my father Asher, and they established their home." A year ago, Ada lost her husband a year ago but managed to overcome grief. I know she is injured now, but I don't know what her condition is."
Tamar Metzger (78): Tamar was kidnapped along with her husband Yoram from their home in Nir Oz. She is a mother of three sons and a grandmother to seven grandchildren. She joined the Nir Oz community in the seventies and over the years served the kibbutz in handling community clothing, education, and the local grocery store. Kibbutz members describe Tamar as a wise woman, a bookworm, and someone who enjoys watching soap operas. Her husband Yoram worked in the Nirlet factory and, in recent years, as a car mechanic. He is a devoted history enthusiast and a member of the Nir Oz Winery and Parliament.
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