Ben Ami Family

Ohad Sent Final Will on WhatsApp Before his Abduction

Ben Ami Family

On Saturday morning, the Ben Ami family woke to red alert sirens. Ohad and Raz were home, Yuli and Ella were at theirs, while Natalie was at her partner's nearby kibbutz. They messaged until Ohad’s final text: “We’ve been caught.” Terrorists abducted Ohad and Raz to Gaza. Raz was freed after 54 days; Ohad was released from captivity after 491 days

Raz and Ohad Ben Ami

Raz and Ohad Ben Ami

Ohad Sent Final Will on WhatsApp Before his Abduction

Ben Ami Family

Minute by Minute Circle
06:34
06:45
07:21
09:23
09:36
10:07
~11:00
11:42
20:04

The sequence of events

Minute by Minute

Click on the points on the timeline for a real-time tour. Clicking on the icons will display the event documentation.

06:34

Red Alert Sirens Sound in Kibbutz Beeri

06:45

"Are you Locked?"

07:21

"They're Shooting Into the House"

09:23

"They're Inside the House"

09:36

Ohad Sends his Daughter his Last Will

10:07

"They've Caught us". Ohad is Abducted From his Home

~11:00

Terrorists Abduct Ohad and Raz

11:42

“I Need Help, my Dad was Kidnapped”: Ella Appears on Live News

20:04

Ella and Yuli are evacuated from their homes

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On the night preceding the attack, the Ben Ami family celebrated the harvest holiday at Kibbutz Beeri. After the celebration, parents Ohad and Raz went home, as did their daughters Ella and Yuli. Natalie, their youngest daughter, stayed with her partner at Kibbutz Nahal Oz. On the following morning of "Simchat Torah", they wake up to the sounds of red alert sirens

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    Natalie Ben Ami's Memoir of the Morning of October 7th
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    Ella reaches out through the family’s WhatsApp group, concerned for her parents' safety. In previous rounds of rocket barrages fired from Gaza, her father often cracked jokes to lighten the mood. This time, however, his serious replies alarm her. She tries to piece together what is happening by checking news sites, but the general situation outside remains unclear. At one point, gunshots ring out in the kibbutz. Ella receives messages from fellow kibbutz members reporting that armed terrorists are spotted riding a moped in the Kibbutz. She immediately alerts her father, urging him to lock himself and her mother in their bathroom. Ohad and Raz quickly secure themselves in their safe room

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    Conversation Between Ohad Ben Ami and his Daughter Ella
    Ella
    Are you locked in the safe room?
    07:06 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes.
    07:06 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Hey that's insane.
    07:06 07/10/2023
    fan
    You're with Raz, yeah?
    07:06 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Yes. We've heard gunshots.
    07:06 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes, we also heard them.
    07:08 07/10/2023
    Ella
    We saw two gunmen wearing keffiyeh's holding M16 rifles riding a moped with a woman hostage. Lock yourselves in the bathroom or something.
    07:16 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    We're locked in the safe room.
    07:17 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Ohad and Raz and their Daughter Ella
    Ella
    dad, do you know if they have deployed iron dome?
    06:45 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Mom did you lock yourself up?
    07:03 07/10/2023
    mummy
    We are locked.
    07:14 07/10/2023
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    Terrorists arrive at Ohad and Raz's house, opening fire from outside. Ella unsuccessfully attempts to reach the head of the kibbutz's security team. In a desperate bid to save her parents, she reaches out to every person she knows who can help, all while trying to assess the safety of her extended family, including her grandmother and uncles, who also live in the kibbutz. Meanwhile, the Ben Ami siblings message each other as they hear the gunfire echoing outside their homes

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    Conversation Between Ohad Ben Ami and his Daughter Ella
    Ella
    Can you hear shouting in Arabic?
    00:07 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    They are here, let Rachel know.
    07:21 07/10/2023
    Ella
    At home?
    07:22 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes outside the house shooting into the house
    07:23 07/10/2023
    Ella
    I won't stop calling her but she won't answer.
    07:23 07/10/2023
    Ella
    They are calling.
    07:24 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Please send a message Are you all right? mom, dad, Please answer
    07:25 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    We're OK.
    07:27 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad Answer
    07:33 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    We're OK.
    07:34 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Raz and her Daughter Ella
    Ella
    Mom, please answer.
    07:26 07/10/2023
    Raz
    It's so scary.
    07:26 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are you all right?
    07:26 07/10/2023
    Raz
    It got quiet, but they've Shot at the house
    07:26 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Gosh, did they Stop?? Please someone must kill them.
    07:26 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Give me a Life signal now!
    07:29 07/10/2023
    Ella
    mummy please
    07:31 07/10/2023
    Ella
    mummy
    07:33 07/10/2023
    Raz
    We're all right
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Ella
    did they stop??
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Raz
    We won't leave the safe room. It's a bit more quiet.
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are they shooting at you?
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Raz
    I'm not going anywhere
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Don't move
    07:34 07/10/2023
    Raz
    We're not moving.
    07:34 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Ella and her sister Yuli
    Ella
    Are you available?
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Yuli
    Yes.
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are you talking to Dad?
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Yuli
    With Mom.
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Ella
    I can't believe they're being shot at. I don't know what to do.
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Yuli
    I want to vomit I'm so stressed.
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Ella
    I went into a panic attack but I realized I must act, so I calmed down
    07:30 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Rachel doesn't answer.
    07:30 07/10/2023
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    Terrorists break down the front door of Ohad and Raz's home while the couple hides in their safe room. They update their daughters about the break-in as Ella and Yuli attempt to call for help. Meanwhile, Natalie is in an area with no cellular signal and cannot be reached

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    Conversation Between Raz and her Daughter Ella
    Ella
    mummy please update me.
    09:22 07/10/2023
    Raz
    They're here at home.
    09:23 07/10/2023
    Ella
    What??? Mummy what??? Who???
    09:23 07/10/2023
    Raz
    The Terrorists
    09:23 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Can you see them?
    09:24 07/10/2023
    Raz
    No, just hearing
    09:24 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Mom???
    09:28 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Ohad and his Daughter Ella
    Ella
    Update me please
    09:23 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    They're in our house
    09:26 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Did they leave already? I'll inform everyone. Daddy??
    09:27 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Let me know
    09:28 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Did they break down the door?
    09:30 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes of the living room
    09:31 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are they still there? Dan says some forces have reached you. Do you hear them?
    09:31 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Tell them to enter the house and make sure the terrorists aren't here.
    09:32 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Ella and her Sister Juli
    Ella
    Yuli terrorists have broke the house's door. Yuli Help me What to do?
    09:33 07/10/2023
    Yuli
    I don't know. I don't know what to do. I am writing to Ofer.
    09:33 07/10/2023
    Juli
    He says they sent troops.
    09:34 07/10/2023
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    As Ohad hears the terrorists outside the safe room, he sends Ella a file containing his last will. In the message, he expresses his fear that the terrorists are setting nearby houses on fire. Ella continues to try to call for help while she hides

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    Conversation Between Ohad and his Daughter Ella
    Ella
    Dad, are you all right?
    09:35 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad?
    09:36 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Ella, if something happens to us, there's a file ### where everything is listed.
    09:36 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad stop it!
    09:36 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    The grant is supposed to repay the loans and the balance.
    09:36 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad it's gonna be fine!
    09:37 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    File Login Code ###, Just in case.
    09:37 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad you'll be all right Are you guys in the room? In the safe room?
    09:38 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes.
    09:40 07/10/2023
    Ella
    I love you. It'll be okay.
    09:40 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Two of my friends talked to the police. They're on their way to you.
    09:43 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad???
    09:45 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    It's a mess here.
    09:45 07/10/2023
    Ella
    The police arrived. Can you hear them? did they arrive? Dad??? Dad?
    09:46 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad?
    09:48 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad?
    09:49 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    What?
    09:49 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Did they leave? What's going on?
    09:49 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    No.
    09:49 07/10/2023
    Ella
    You guys are in the safe room and you hear them walking around the house?
    09:49 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Earlier
    09:50 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are you still in the safe room? They didn't get to you, did they?
    09:50 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Yes.
    09:50 07/10/2023
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    Terrorists raid Ohad and Raz's home once more. Ohad informs his daughters that there are numerous terrorists in the bathroom, and after a few minutes, he updates them that the terrorists have entered the safe room. At this point, Ohad is no longer available, and his daughters continue to try to call for help

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    A Photo of Ohad During his Abduction, Which was Later Posted on Telegram
    A Photo of Ohad During his Abduction, Which was Later Posted on Telegram
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    Conversation Between Ohad and his Daughter Ella
    Ohad
    They're in our house now.
    09:59 07/10/2023
    Ella
    They are at Alon's family house too. They seem to me to be preparing for fighting from your house.
    10:00 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Are they getting close to your safe room?
    10:01 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad? Send me a sign of life, please
    10:02 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad?
    10:04 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Friends of Raz are here, they have your location. They are coming
    10:05 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Lots of terrorists are inside the house, they are on the bath and on the second floor.
    10:05 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    That's it. They are here with us inside the saferoom.
    10:07 07/10/2023
    Ella
    What???
    10:07 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    They've caught us.
    10:07 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Daddy are they right in front of you?
    10:07 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    Dear god, yes. They saw me and ran away, they are coming back now.
    10:08 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Did they run away? Please make them leave.
    10:08 07/10/2023
    Ohad
    No they're here
    10:08 07/10/2023
    Ella
    What are they doing?
    10:10 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Dad???
    10:12 07/10/2023
    Ella
    I love you. It'll be fine We'll let the whole world know about it.
    10:19 07/10/2023
    Ella
    What's going on???
    11:16 07/10/2023
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    Conversation Between Ella and Rachel, the Head of the Kibbutz Security
    Ella
    Can someone come to my parents' house? There are terrorists there. They won't leave. And we need help.
    09:47 07/10/2023
    Ella
    They're in our house now Lots of terrorists inside the house In the bathroom and on the second floor
    That's the message from my father
    10:06 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Rachel please help!!!!!
    10:06 07/10/2023
    Racheli
    I've sent forces
    10:09 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Rachel, they got them.
    10:09 07/10/2023
    Ella
    Rachel, I need to know they're alive. What should we do? I need help. I need help, what to do?
    10:12 07/10/2023
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      Ella Tells About her Conversation With her Father on Saturday 7th Photo: Friday News, Kan 11
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      The terrorists abduct Ohad, and although Raz hides under a blanket, they discover her as well. For a week, Raz is considered missing until a video of her abduction is posted on Facebook

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      Messages Between Ella Ben Ami and her Sister Yuli
      Yuli
      no! I can't believe it, I refuse to believe it.
      10:12 07/10/2023
      Ella
      It's over.
      10:12 07/10/2023
      Yuli
      It's not.
      10:12 07/10/2023
      Ella
      Should I go there?
      10:17 07/10/2023
      Yuli
      Absolutely not
      10:17 07/10/2023
      Yuli
      Do you think they did them anything?
      10:29 07/10/2023
      Ella
      I think they tied them up. They are now waiting.
      10:29 07/10/2023
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        Natalie, the Youngest Sibling, Tells of the Morning of October 7th
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          Raz's Abduction
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          Shortly after his abduction, a photo of Ohad held in captivity is posted on Telegram, reaching his daughters, who still have no information about their mother's whereabouts. They persistently seek help for their parents and eventually contact "Channel 12 News" to share their plight on air. Their aunt, Ayelet Hakim, also living in Beeri, informs them that terrorists are in her home as well, prompting the sisters to seek assistance for her, too. Ayelet also manages to go live on air during a phone call with Channel 12 while the terrorists break into her house

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            “I Need Help, my Dad was Kidnapped”: Ella Goes Live on Air on "Channel 12 News" Courtesy News 12
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              'They're Trying to Break Into my House': Ayelet, Ella's Aunt, Goes on air on "News 12" Courtesy News 12
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              Conversation Between Ella and The Kibbutz's Head of Security, Rachel
              Ella
              11:41 07/10/2023
              Ella
              He's in Gaza Raceali He's in Gaza Look at this photo, It's in Gaza.
              11:42 07/10/2023
              Ella
              The terrorists are at Ayelet and Ariel's. They are battering on their safe room's door. We can't allow it to happen to them too. We've got to do something. They live in the neighborhood's southernmost row.
              12:04 07/10/2023
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              Conversation Between Ella Ben Ami and her Aunt, Ayelet Hakim
              Ayelet
              the terrorists are still at ours.
              11:01 07/10/2023
              Ella
              At your home?
              11:01 07/10/2023
              Ayelet
              They are trying to break in
              11:01 07/10/2023
              Ella
              The national news channel has contacted you, they are sending troops wherever they are needed.
              11:02 07/10/2023
              Ella
              I hear you
              11:04 07/10/2023
              Ella
              I wish they would come to you right now, I wish that so much. They can't ignore it. It's unbelievable.
              11:06 07/10/2023
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              Yuli and Ella exchange messages, staying coherent despite the sound of gunfire outside their homes and the urgent knocks on their doors. At the same time, they attempt to contact their sister, Natalie, who remains unreachable. When security forces arrive to evacuate Ella, she directs them to Yuli’s home, where the sisters reunite for the first time that Saturday

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              Conversation Between Ella Ben Ami and Her Sister Yuli
              Ella
              Where are you?
              20:41 07/10/2023
              Yuli
              Same place.
              20:41 07/10/2023
              Ella
              I will let them know.
              20:41 07/10/2023
              Ella
              Troops are coming to you.
              20:43 07/10/2023
              Yuli
              Great.
              20:43 07/10/2023
              Ella
              I'm coming
              20:43 07/10/2023
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              Ella Ben Ami Meeting her Cousin From Kibbutz Beeri as They Were Evacuated to the City of Netivot
              Ella Ben Ami Meeting her Cousin From Kibbutz Beeri as They Were Evacuated to the City of Netivot

              The Day After

              08/10/23

              The Ben Ami Daughters Evacuate from Beeri

              15/10/23

              Raz's abduction video surfaces on social media

              04/11/23

              Ella Ben Ami gives a speech at the demonstration for the return of the hostages

              17/11/23

              Marking Raz's Birthday

              29/11/23

              Raz is released from captivity

              24/12/23

              Marking Ohad's Birthday While he's Still Held Hostage in Gaza

              8.2.25

              Ohad was released from captivity after 491 days
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              Yuli, Ella, and Natalie are each evacuated to different regions across the country. After a few days, they regroup with their extended family in Pardes Hanna. They later relocate to the Dead Sea area for two more months before finally moving to Tel Aviv to stay closer to the headquarters of hostage release efforts

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                Ohad and Raz's Home After the Terrorists Raid
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                Days after being declared missing, a video of Raz Ben Ami’s abduction surfaces on Facebook. Her daughters find the video and realize that the terrorists have also kidnapped their mother. The footage shows Raz, barefoot, being led by terrorists and placed in a red van before it drives away

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                A Post Published on Facebook Days After Raz's Abduction to Gaza A Post Published on Facebook Days After Raz's Abduction to Gaza
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                  The Abduction of Raz Ben Ami to Gaza
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                    • Disable
                    Natalie Tells of her Parents' Abduction to Gaza
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                    Ella and her sisters, Yuli and Natalie, pursue every possible action to secure their parents' return. In her first speech at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Ella calls for the release of all hostages held in Gaza

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                      Ella Ben Ami Speaks at a Rally Calling for the Release of the Israeli Hostages Held in Gaza
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                      The sisters mark their mother's birthday without her in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square

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                      Fifty-four days after her abduction, Raz returns to Israel as part of a hostage deal. During her captivity, her long-standing illness worsens, leading to a week-long hospitalization at Ichilov Hospital. After her release, she moves in with her daughters in Tel Aviv

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                      Raz meets her daughters Yuli, Ella and Natalie on the Day of her Return From Captivity Raz meets her daughters Yuli, Ella and Natalie on the Day of her Return From Captivity
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                          Raz's Release From Captivity
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                            Ella Tells About her Mother's Return From Captivity Photo: Friday News, Kan 11
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                              Raz After her Release From Captivity in Gaza
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                              Ohad’s family marks his 55th birthday at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv

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                                Raz Ben Ami After her Release From Captivity in Gaza
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                                After 491 days in captivity, Ohad was finally released and reunited with his wife and daughters

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                                  Ohad and his family reunited Oz Shachter/GPO
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                                  Ohad's daughters talk with him for the first time after 491 days Ohad's daughters talk with him for the first time after 491 days
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                                  Ohad and his family reunited	Ohad and his family reunited Mayan Tuaf/GPO
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