bereaved families

37 Years Later:

Bereaved family demands removal of monument to terrorist

Yaakov Farag was murdered while guarding Har Bracha in 1988. Now, his widow is demanding that the IDF demolish a nearby monument commemorating his killer.

Hostage's mother accuses IDF commander of failing to save her son

Iris Haim, whose son Yotam was mistakenly killed by IDF fire in Gaza, accuses former hostage commander Nitzan Alon of ignoring warnings, distress calls and signs that could have led to his rescue.

Adi Marciano to daughter Noa:

'You never taught me how to be a bereaved mother'

At the national memorial ceremony, Adi Marciano delivers a poignant tribute to her daughter, IDF lookout Noa Marciano, who was abducted alive on October 7 and murdered in Hamas captivity.

‘For unity in the nation’:

Rabbi Kalmanson recites Kaddish at 10/7 memorial

Rabbi Benny Kalmanson, whose son Elhanan fell while rescuing residents of Be’eri, recited Kaddish and called for unity and mutual responsibility.

Bereaved families respond to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir

Bereaved families criticize Eyal Zamir for stating the IDF failed on October 7: “The soldiers who fought the enemy with their own bodies are not the failure."

National day of mourning:

Nova victim’s father lowers Western Wall flag to half-mast

Rabbi Avida Bernstein, whose 20-year-old son Eliyahu Yaakov was murdered at the Nova music festival during the October 7 massacre, lowers Israeli flag at Western Wall, as Israel marks national day of mourning.

Arutz Sheva Exclusive

IDF rabbi relives the horrors he saw after the massacre

Rabbi Udi Schwartz, head of the halakha division in the IDF Rabbinate, tells Arutz Sheva about the unbearable scenes, agonizing identifications, and emotional encounters with families that have stayed with him since October 7.

3 years of war

Over 87,000 victims of hostilities

Of the orphans, 345; more than 2,000 people in Israel have lost a brother or sister. 1,204 parents have lost their children.

Three years later:

Recording of Noa Marciano in Hamas captivity revealed

Three years after October 7, Avi Marciano releases a recording of his daughter Noa, who was murdered in Gaza, filmed after just four days of captivity.

Eisenkot, Rabbi Granot honor fallen sons at 'second hakafot'

Yashar! chairman Gadi Eisenkot joins post-holiday celebrations at Orot Shaul Yeshiva, where Rabbi Tamir Granot honors the memory of their sons, both of whom fell during the war.

“The first to help"

Ofek leaves behind twin brother

A friend and former teacher of Master Sgt. (res.) Ofek Moalem spoke about his special character. Master Sgt. (res.) Nadav Kali lived across the street from a former classmate who fell in Gaza three years ago.

Slain teen's mother sees son’s vision fulfilled

Years after Nachman Shmuel Mordoff was killed in a shooting attack, his mother says the establishment of Tzukei Eretz fulfills the dream he devoted his final years to pursuing.

Bereaved father blasts ‘pretend demolition’ of terrorist’s home

Family of terror victim Yehuda Shmuel Sherman outraged after IDF leaves part of his murderer’s home standing.

Chilling:

Terror victim's son recites first 'Kaddish' at father's funeral

Yoav, eldest son of terror victim Netanel Shakron, recites 'Kaddish' at his father's funeral, a day after his father was killed in a terror attack hours before Yom Kippur.

One year after return

Bar Kupershtein leads Selichot at Hostages Square

One year after returning home, captivity survivors gather at Hostages Square for an evening of thanksgiving and Selichot, alongside families of deceased hostages and bereaved families.

Widow and bereaved father move crowd to tears with powerful duet

Rabbi Tamir Granot and Rachel Goldberg took the stage together at a unity event, performing Naomi Shemer’s “Shir Shel Abba" in a deeply emotional tribute to their fallen loved ones.

Families of Oct. 7 victims: “The time for reckoning has come"

Bereaved families, relatives of hostages and captivity survivors presented the “October 7 File," a document they say compiles facts about the policies and decisions that preceded the massacre.

Bereaved families demand Ra’am be disqualified

The Choosing Life Forum of bereaved families and terror victims has petitioned the Central Elections Committee, demanding that the Ra’am party be barred from running in the elections.

Bereaved father’s Kaddish echoes at Western Wall

Families who lost loved ones gather for Selichot as father of fallen October 7 soldier dedicates Kaddish to all who gave their lives for Israel.

Bereaved parents hit back at Eisenkot over October 7 probe

Families bereaved on October 7 accuse supporters of a state commission of inquiry of seeking a political outcome, demanding an independent panel with coalition and opposition agreement.

Amb. Huckabee:

This is why the US is negotiating with Hamas

The US ambassador to Israel answers bereaved families' criticism of direct talks with Hamas in an exclusive interview with Arutz Sheva.

Bereaved father

“Benayahu fell, but he left us a path that won't be stopped"

Boaz Melet tells Arutz Sheva how his son Benayahu, who was shot in a terrorist attack, recovered and continued fighting the terrorists until his final moments.

Bereaved Mother:

'I never thought it would be the last hug'

The parents of Hillel Mordechai Dadon, the seven-and-a-half-year-old boy from Beit Shemesh who was brutally murdered by a neighbor, share their shock and grief at the incident.

''Our Heart Is Shattered':

Family struggles to cope with murder of 7-year-old

Hillel Mordechai Dadon’s family is struggling to comprehend his death, as relatives describe unbearable grief following the fatal Beit Shemesh stabbing.

Bereaved families to Cabinet: Attack in Gaza

The Gvura Forum issues an urgent demand to the Prime Minister and ministers to immediately resume offensive strikes in the Gaza Strip, warning against putting IDF troops at risk.

Miri Regev:

'What hurts me is what they're saying about my daughter'

Transportation Minister Miri Regev rejects bereaved father Nissim Louk's claims, says her daughter 'rescued herself' from Nova massacre and informed her only later.

'Even when it hurts, keep going'

Oct. 7 fallen hero's brother follows him into Golani Brigade

The brother of Golani Sgt. Amichay Rubin, who fell fighting on Oct. 7, enlisted in the brigade, carrying on his brother's legacy despite the pain.

20 years after his death

Roi Klein's son follows in his father's footsteps

Twenty years after Major Roi Klein fell in Bint Jbeil, his eldest son Gilad enlisted in his father's Golani 51st Battalion alongside his brother.

Bereaved father:

Minister's daughter evacuated from Nova before Hamas massacre

Nissim Louk, father of Shani Louk, murdered at the Nova festival, recounts his confrontation with Minister Miri Regev and calls for fundamental change and building bridges among the people.

Bereaved father to Regev

'My daughter was murdered because of you'

Nissim Louk, whose daughter Shani was murdered at Nova Festival, confronts Minister Miri Regev at Mahane Yehuda Market, lashing out at her and Likud: "You brought about October 7th."

Family bids tearful farewell to Major Harel Birenstock

Major (res.) Harel Birenstock, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, was laid to rest at Mount Herzl as his family remembered his devotion to his country, his wife and four children, and his unwavering love of life in emotional eulogies.

Family establishes new outpost after son's murder

After losing their son to a shooting attack and their home in a fire, the Broyar family decided they wanted to turn personal tragedy into action.

Father of slain officer issues emotional plea for unity

Father of Maj. Yuval Ezra, killed in the Samaria terror attack, urges Israelis to reject division. 'We can be rivals, but under no circumstances can we become enemies.'

Father of slain hero delivers powerful message from attack site

Standing at site where his son was murdered, Benayahu Melet's father calls on IDF to permanently control ridge, demanding government establish Jewish communities in the area.

Watch:

Final hostage's brother completes police commander's course

The Israel Police commissioned 185 new officers at a ceremony in Beit Shemesh, where Commissioner Daniel Levi paid special tribute to Omri Gvili, whose brother Ran was the final hostage recovered from Gaza.

Mother of Oron Shaul laid to rest after battle to bring son home

Zehava Shaul, the mother of Oron Shaul, was laid to rest after she passed away at age 71. Her sons, Aviram and Ofek, eulogized her and spoke about her long struggle to bring her son Oron home.

Benayahu Melet, hero who rushed to rescue hikers, laid to rest

Benayahu Melet, murdered in Friday morning shooting attack near Havat Gilad, laid to rest in military ceremony at Havat Gilad cemetery.

Zehava Shaul, who fought to bring son Oron home, dies

Zehava Shaul, who led decade-long campaign to recover the body of her son, fallen IDF soldier Oron Shaul, dies after battling cancer.

Benayahu Melet to be buried beside terror victim Raziel Shevach

Benayahu Melet, murdered after rushing to defend hikers in Samaria, to be buried alongside Rabbi Raziel Shevach, who was killed in a terrorist shooting near Havat Gilad eight years ago.

Bereaved father calls to "erase the disgrace of Oslo"

Eliav Libi, one of the founders of the Farm Outposts Association and the father of Sgt. David Libi, who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, received the 2026 Zionism Award

Watch: Raviv Kaner sings with children of bereaved families

Singer Raviv Kaner joins 'One Family' event, performs movingly for children who lost loved ones in Israel's wars and terror attacks.

Full circle:

MK's grandson circumcised at site honoring murdered husband

Sarah Yahav, daughter of terror victim Shuli Har-Melech and MK Limor Son Har-Melech, holds circumcision for newborn son at memorial honoring her father.

Netanyahu receives 100-settlement plan

Bereaved father Yehoshua Sherman, whose son was murdered by an Arab terrorist, presents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a new plan to settle open areas of Areas A and B of Judea and Samaria.

In her memory:

Family of slain Border Police captain dedicates mikveh

Family of Border Police Capt. Kim Dukarker, who was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7, inaugurates new mikveh in Beit Hashmonai on what would have been her 25th birthday.

Netanyahu’s joke outrages bereaved families

During an interview, Netanyahu was asked what has changed in him since Oct. 7 and initially replied: "I lost a little weight." His words drew criticism from bereaved families.

Bereaved family demands the demolition of the terrorist's home

The brother and father of Yehudah Sherman are calling for swift action and for the demolition of the home of the terrorist who killed him.

Gaza envelope:

Bereaved father attacks Smotrich, bereaved daughter defends him

The father of fallen IDF lookout Roni Eshel confronted Bezalel Smotrich, before a bereaved kibbutz resident urged unity despite the tensions.

Bereaved Mother:

'I will care for the soldiers for him'

Galit Hazutt spoke about her son who fell in Lebanon, promising to continue his determination to help less fortunate soldiers under his command.

Tearful farewell at grave of fallen soldier

A week after he was killed in a tank disaster in southern Lebanon, the family and friends of Nave Habshoosh gathered for a memorial service and farewell.

Bereaved father: Former ISA chief must sit in prison

Businessman Eyal Waldman, whose daughter Danielle was killed in the October 7 massacre together with her partner, says former ISA chief Ronen Bar responsible for failures that led to massacre, should have stepped down soon afterwards.

Dor Ben Simhon’s widow bids farewell to his tank crew

Ariel, the widow of Gedaliya Dor Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, posted a personal and moving message in which she thanked the tank crew soldiers who fell alongside her husband.

Bereaved families meet Ohana and Levin

Bereaved families from Gvura Forum call on the government to continue countering threats in the north and refuse to yield to international pressure.

Moving:

Widow of fallen soldier Ori Shani marries his commander

Miriam Shani, whose husband Captain Ori Shani fell in the battle to defend Kissufim during the October 7 massacre, marries Ofek, his commander from the Egoz Unit training. Watch.

'An angel sent to us for too short a time'

Friends and family pay tribute to Staff Sgt. Nave Habshoosh, who fell in battle in Lebanon.

Fallen commander's wife sends final farewell

Ariel, the wife of Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, the battalion commander who fell in southern Lebanon along with his tank team, posted on Facebook and bid farewell to her husband.

The bar mitzvah that moved everyone

Two-and-a-half years after his parents were murdered in the October 7 massacre at Nova, Eliav Abdush celebrates his bar mitzvah, surrounded by friends and family.

'Moral decline'

Danon fires back at UN envoy who ridiculed bereaved mother

Ambassador Danny Danon blasts UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese for mockingly telling the mother of an October 7 victim to change meds.

The heartbreaking embrace between the two IDF families

The father of Ohad Yaari, who was killed in Lebanon, called for the release of the detained commander: “This was an operational mishap, not a criminal matter."

'Change medication'

Anti-Israel UN envoy mocks mother of October 7 victim

UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese faces heavy backlash after mocking the mother of an Oct. 7 victim.

Oct. 7 families to hold first-ever meeting on inquiry commission

Representatives of the bereaved families from the Choosing Life Forum and the October Council to to discuss establishing an investigation committee for the events of October 7.