The Hulati Family from Kissufim on October 7th | Kan 07.10.360

Menucha and Israel Hulati, both 76, have lived in Kibbutz Kissufim for five decades. In recent years, they reside in separate homes. As red alert sirens blare across the kibbutz, they find refuge in their safe rooms. About half an hour later, their daughter Einat, who lives in Kfar Azar, messages her mother, Menucha, and they agree to speak later

Israel quickly realizes that terrorists have infiltrated the surrounding kibbutz communities and sends Menucha a message: 'Do not leave the house.' Later, he urges her to lock herself inside her safe room

The electricity and cellular networks in the kibbutz are cut, leaving family members unable to reach Menucha

Menucha sends a message to Israel, but he never receives it due to disruptions in the communication network

The last message on Menucha's phone sent at 15:16, is a random sequence of letters. It is believed that shortly after this message, Menucha was murdered by terrorists inside her safe room. About an hour later, her phone captures a screenshot showing a search for the contact "Eti Zak," Menucha's neighbour, who is also murdered that same Saturday

Terrorists set the kibbutz's row of houses, including Menucha's, ablaze

By evening, security forces evacuate residents from the kibbutz. Einat and her husband, Moshe Apron, stay informed of the situation. Moshe decides to head to Orim Junction, hoping Menucha might make her way there. However, while en route, he realises the evacuees are being moved to Beit Kama Junction, so he drives there instead. Upon arrival, he meets Eve Mimis, Menucha's neighbour, and her nursing caregiver. Menucha's caregiver informs Moshe that Menucha has been murdered, though the family cannot confirm this at the time.

After spending over a day locked in the safe room of his home, Israel opens the door and speaks with four combatants from the IDF's Egoz unit who are operating in the kibbutz. He asks them if he can leave the area, but they reply that he cannot. He then turns back, locks the door, and suddenly hears shouts from outside: "Terrorist in the house." Moments later, a battle erupts between the troops and terrorists hiding in a neighbouring apartment complex. Following the exchange of fire, which lasts about forty minutes, Israel hears the troops outside receive the order: "Take the house down." An hour later, once the battle ceases, a tank fires a shell at the house, destroying it

At the end of the battle, Israel emerges from his safe room. He sees that his house is destroyed and notices soldiers outside. He walks with them through the kibbutz and asks them to check Menucha's house. One of the soldiers enters the house and informs Israel, "There’s nothing in there." Unsatisfied, Israel decides to enter the house himself. He notices gunshot marks on the safe room door, continues further, and then discovers Menucha’s burnt body

Security forces evacuate Israel to the city of Ofakim. Later that day, he arrives at his daughter Einat's house in Kfar Azar