Tomorrow (Wednesday), Ohad Yahalomi, will be laid to rest after being murdered in Hamas captivity and returned to Israel last Thursday as part of the hostage deal. Thousands of Israelis will accompany the funeral procession with Israeli flags along the roads, at major intersections, and at the cemetery in Kibbutz Nir Oz. At the family’s request, the funeral will be closed to the media.
The eulogies will begin at 11:00 AM on the lawn of the dining hall at Kibbutz Nir Oz, followed by the funeral at the kibbutz cemetery.
A Dedicated Father Fighting for His Family
Ohad Yahalomi, a ranger with the Nature and Parks Authority and an expert in desert nature, lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife Bat Sheva and their three children. He was a devoted family man who always prioritized the well-being of others.
On October 7, he entered the bomb shelter with his family at their home in the kibbutz. However, when he noticed that the bomb shelter door was not closing properly, he went outside to protect them and secure it. At that moment, terrorists broke into their home, opened fire, and injured him. The terrorists kidnapped Bat Sheva and the three children from the bomb shelter; two daughters were taken on one motorcycle, and their son Eitan, then 12 years old, was abducted on another motorcycle. Ohad himself, was injured and taken into captivity later in the day.
As the kidnappers approached the border, the motorcycle carrying the terrorist with Bat Sheva and their two daughters overturned, allowing Bat Sheva to escape with her daughters. Ohad and Eitan were transferred to Gaza and taken captive. Eitan was held hostage for 52 days, 16 of which were spent alone, before being released as part of a deal. Since then, his wife Bat Sheva and family members have fought to bring Ohad home.
