My daughter, Inbar Hayman, was kidnapped to Gaza on Oct. 7 and murdered while in Hamas captivity. My Inbar lies in Gaza and still hasn't returned home. I am terrified by the thought that she will remain there, and currently, no one has answers for me. On Oct. 7, that horrible Saturday, Inbar volunteered at the Nova Festival to assist attendees. Today, my Inbar is the youngest female hostage.
Just 27 years old, a child of light, love, and endless giving. My Inbar was an outstanding and talented visual communications student, who was supposed to complete her fourth year of studies. She believed that through education and art, she could change the world. Inbar was a member of the graffiti community in Israel and known by the name PINK. Many graffiti artists in Israel and worldwide have created graffiti titled "FREE PINK," calling for her release.
Inbar was supposed to be released already in Phase A, with the other women – but she didn't come back. We just want her to return to us. We are emotionally and physically devastated. None of the decision-makers sees that every casualty has an entire family. We are in suspended mourning. The struggle is enormous, and it follows me every day. I lost my mother two months ago. She died of a broken heart because she was very connected to Inbar.
My father is 80, a Holocaust survivor who wants to know where his granddaughter is. I've gone through memorial ceremonies without Inbar, and it's truly surreal. And now, we are on the threshold of another Memorial Day, and I ask Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the decision-makers: how many holidays and memorial days must I endure before I receive my Inbar? I have already purchased a burial plot for her, and additional plots for us beside her – may we live long lives.
I want you to bring my child back, bring her back to me now. I only ask to kiss her coffin.
I know I will never buy her a wedding dress, but at least I want to bury my daughter in a proper Jewish burial in the soil of Israel. So she can be near me, so I can talk about her and place a candle and a flower for her. I've already started looking at headstones. Everything is ready – just bring her to me, so I can gather the pieces and begin to heal. Bring about her release now.
The writer is the mother of Inbar Hayman, whose body is being held captive by Hamas.
