Tal Shoham, 40, was among those kidnapped from kibbutz Be'eri during a family visit that turned tragic when Hamas terrorists launched their brutal attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Though his young children have since been released and returned home, he remained in Hamas captivity.
After 505 days in Hamas captivity, Tal was released from Hamas captivity as part of the hostage deal.
The Shoham family had traveled from their community in Lower Galilee to visit their grandmother, Shoshan Haran, when the attack began. Armed Hamas terrorists breached the house, forcing family members to take shelter in the safe room for hours until contact was eventually lost. Later, confirmation came that they had been taken hostage.
One particularly poignant account came from his
4-year-old daughter Yahel, who expressed her longing in the simple words of a child: "We see many daddies, just not our daddy." She drew a picture of her father with outstretched arms and a smile, explaining, "He's doing this with his arms but no one comes to him."
