The operation was made possible thanks to precise intelligence from the ISA (Shin Bet), the government Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, and the Military Intelligence Directorate. Following an identification process carried out by the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, the fallen were identified, and representatives from the IDF Manpower Directorate delivered the notifications to the families and the Be’eri community.
Ofra Kedar z”l
Ofra Kedar z”l, a member of Kibbutz Be’eri, was brutally murdered and abducted from the kibbutz on October 7, 2023, by terrorists from the Hamas terror organization. Ofra was 71 at the time of her death, a mother of three and the wife of Shmuel Kedar z”l, who was also murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, in their home in Be’eri.
Shay Levinson z”l
Sergeant Shay Levinson z”l was a tank commander in the ‘Oz’ (77) Battalion, and had fought the terrorists on the morning of October 7, finally falling in battle. He was abducted by Hamas terrorists on the same day. Shay was 19 years old at the time of his death.
Yonatan Samarano z”l
Yonatan Samarano z”l was brutally murdered and abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorists, including an UNRWA employee, after fleeing from the Nova party. Yonatan was 21 years old when he was killed.
Moments before the IDF Spokesperson announced the return of the hostages, Yonatan Samrano’s father shared that “he was rescued from Gaza.” Yonatan z”l marked his 23rd birthday in captivity just days earlier.
“I Never Stopped Believing”
In a social media post, his father wrote: “On his 23rd birthday, the day he was born, our Yonati was rescued in a heroic operation by the brave soldiers of the IDF and ISA.”
“On his birthday, Yonati, ever the prankster, knocked on the door of his home. Just before that, a missile fragment had landed near the door. Then came the message—the message we had dreaded for months. From the very beginning, I believed with all my heart that our army would bring back my son. I never stopped believing, and so it happened,” he continued.
Hope and Faith
“I want to express deep gratitude: to the Government of Israel, the Prime Minister, the security forces, the heroic IDF soldiers, the reservists, the wives of the heroes, their parents, and all of Am Yisrael who carried us with hands of prayer, hope, and faith,” the father wrote.
“Yonati, we were blessed to live beside you for 21 and a half years of light, and today, in a new light. You returned to us, beloved son, wrapped in the light of bravery, of faith, of a whole nation. Dad, Mom, and Yair will remember you forever. Am Yisrael Chai,” he concluded.
