bereaved families

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.

Award-winning soldier remembers fallen brother

At the Chief of Staff’s excellence ceremony, the brother of Ariel ben Moshe, who was killed during the October 7th massacre, delivered an emotional speech describing his brother’s relentless drive for excellence.

'He heard you':

Chilling revelation about Hersh Goldberg-Polin's captivity

Rachel Goldberg-Polin revealed that other hostages had told her that her son heard her voice while held captive in Gaza.

Emotional Farewell:

Sgt. Noam Hamburger laid to rest

Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, who was killed by an explosive drone strike in the north over the weekend, was laid contest today in Atlit.

'Yona had a drive for life'

Mother of Duvdevan hero recalls son’s 417-day fight for life

In an emotional interview, Hazel Brief recalls her son Yona’s courage, resilience, and devotion after the Duvdevan medic was critically wounded on October 7th.

IDF: 7,000 combat soldiers needed immediately

IDF warns of manpower shortage, bereaved father urges Draft Law to heal rift in nation.

Bereaved sister urges: 'Prevent the next murder'

At Jerusalem conference, bereaved sister Yiros Zalka urges Israelis to take personal responsibility and combat violence. 'Yamano’s murder must not become just another bitter statistic.'

Senior IDF officer reprimanded over risky Lebanon visit

An IDF brigade commander was censured after bereaved families entered Bint Jbeil without authorization or full security clearance.

Bereaved fathers to Netanyahu

“Authorize full Israeli control over Areas A & B now"

Eliav Libi and Yehoshua Sherman, who lost their sons in combat in Gaza and in a terror attack, demand that the cabinet advance control over Areas A and B.

Unusual incident:

Knesset session stopped after Tibi and bereaved parents clash

Bereaved families disrupted Ahmad Tibi’s speech opposing a law targeting Nukhba terrorists, forcing a temporary halt in the Knesset session.

Former Fire and Rescue Service commissioner joins politics

Former Fire and Rescue Service Commissioner Dedi Simchi, whose son Guy fell in battle on October 7, announces decision to join politics, run in upcoming elections.

Netanyahu urged to halt aid to Gaza

The Gvura Forum, representing over 300 bereaved families, sends blistering letter to the Prime Minister demanding an immediate halt to the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip.

"This is our small victory"

Widow of October 7th hero marries again

Avia, the widow of Yishay Slotki who was killed in action on the Gaza border on October 7 alongside his brother Noam, married Micha Goldenberg on Lag Ba'Omer.

Netanyahu speaks with families of murder victims

PM speaks with the family of Binyamin Yemanu Zelka, who was murdered in Petah Tikva, and with the family of Destaw Tsakul, who was also murdered in Be’er Sheva.

Supreme Court offers compromise:

Massacre investigation after the next elections

The judges proposed that if the current government is unwilling to allow for a state commission of inquiry, the question should be posed to the next one to allow the people to decide if such a commission is needed.

Three years after attack, Tali Dee chooses life and strength

Three years after losing her mother and two sisters in a terror attack, Tali Dee shares how faith, family, and resilience helped her rebuild and move forward.

Maoz Morell:

A fallen soldier's boundless energy and love

Friends and family remember Maoz Morell in a special Memorial Day video.

Parents reveal:

Oriya fell in attempt to rescue Bibas family

Parents of fallen soldier SSGT Oriya Ayimalk Goshen reveal to Arutz Sheva that their son fell in Operation Red Heart, which aimed to rescue the Bibas family from captivity in Gaza.

Bereavement:

Impact of bereavement on work: new survey finds higher stress

A 2025 survey shows bereaved workers face higher stress, turnover, and safety risks, though some find strength in work.

Watch:

Netanyahu draws with fallen soldier's son

Ahead of Memorial Day, the Prime Minister shared his personal pain in a meeting with bereaved families and delivered a message of Hope for the future.

Minister demands end to ads for alternative memorial ceremony

Communications Minister Dr. Shlomo Karhi called on the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation to immediately stop airing an advertisement for the Israeli-Palestinian Memorial Day ceremony across all its platforms.

Bereaved families: Hamas disarmament failed, it's time to win

Dozens of bereaved families pen harsh letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, warn Hamas has had time to regroup.

Cousin eulogizes

'They didn't want Guy to enlist in combat role, he insisted'

The cousin of Sergeant First Class Guy Ludar, of blessed memory, who was killed in a friendly-fire incident in southern Lebanon, eulogized him and spoke about the immense loss and pain.

Tal Dee announces engagement - on day her mother was killed

Three years to the day after her mother Lucy and sisters Rina and Maia were murdered in a terror attack, Tal Dee announces her engagement to Ariel.

Ori Greenberg's father

'A truly special child who excelled in everything he did'

Yaron Greenberg, whose son Staff Sergeant Ori Greenberg was killed in action in Lebanon, spoke about his son’s vision: 'That there be unity among the people of Israel, closeness of hearts, and brotherly love.'

$318 million victory: Iran terror victims finally paid

After decades, Iran-linked Manhattan skyscraper yields $318M for terror victims.

Bereaved brother recounts deadly Homesh ramming

Daniel Sherman recounts the deadly attack in Samaria over Shabbat that killed his brother and left him injured.

Chilling photo:

Orphaned boy marks third birthday at father's grave

Shaked Meir, whose father David Meir was killed during the battle for Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7, marks first haircut at his father's gravesite on Mount Herzl.

Gvura Forum demands territorial conquest in Lebanon

Bereaved families demand that government members translate military achievements into a new security reality.

Parents of terror victim complain: 'Danger to life'

Bereaved parents Herzl and Merav Hajaj accuse senior Population Authority officials of bypassing the 'Shir Hajaj Law,' endangering lives.

Widow of fallen IDF soldier announces engagement

Gal Moreno, widow of Itai who fell in Zikim battle in the early days of the Swords of Iron war, announces engagement.

'There was an enormous blast, the massive explosion'

Yitzhak Biton, father of three young siblings murdered in a Beit Shemesh missile strike, says he was at home when the missile hit, describes 'massive explosion.'

Terror widower announces engagement

Hananel Gez, whose wife Tze'ela was murdered on her way to the delivery room, announces engagement.

President Herzog meets victims of violence in Arab communities

The President listened to the families’ painful accounts and emphasized that this rampant violence and organized crime are eroding the foundations of Israeli society.

Bereaved father demands: An ultimatum to Hamas

Ahead of the meeting at the White House, Ofer Greenbaum from the Hagvura Forum calls on Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss a deadline for the disarmament of the Gaza Strip with President Trump.

Rabbis and bereaved families back haredi draft law

Senior rabbis and representatives of bereaved families published a public letter today calling for unity in the nation and warning against incitement between the haredi and national-religious communities.

Hundreds gather to remember man found after two years missing

A memorial evening was held in Kfar Saba at the Community Synagogue on Wednesday in memory of Itamar Shlezinger, a missing person whose remains were located after two years of searching in the area of the village of Ein Hod.

Bereaved father celebrates son's bar mitzva

Rabbi Avigdor Hayut, who lost his eldest son in the Meron tragedy, celebrates with former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef.

Hostages' families: Every additional aid truck helps Hamas

Hagvura Forum for hostages' families and bereaved families urges Israeli government to end aid to Hamas. 'Every additional truck provides oxygen to Hamas.'

Shield of Alumim

Final hostage, Ran Gvili, is laid to rest

Prominent figures speak at funeral of last hostage, fallen Yasam officer Ran Gvili, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Meitar.

'Everything's Fine':

Ran's final recording played at funeral procession

Shira Gvili played a voice recording of her brother made while he was alive, reassuring her 'Don't worry, sister, everything's fine.'

Hersh’s parents mark return of last hostage

Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Goldberg, parents of deceased hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, mark last day of wearing masking tape numbers, send support to family of Ran Gvili, the last hostage returned to Israel.

Bereaved Cousin:

'Fallen soldier was a man of faith even in the hardest times'

Yosef, whose cousin Asael Babad died of his wounds last week three months after being wounded in the war, speaks with Arutz Sheva about the loss and the memories he leaves behind.

Hundreds at rally in Meitar: Without Ran, there's no 'stage two'

Hundreds of attendees at Meitar rally call for the immediate return of deceased hostage Ran Gvili and the completion of the first phase of the deal with Hamas.

Fallen soldier's son sings 'Ani Ma'amin' at father's funeral

Crowd of mourners sings moving 'Ani Ma'amin' after fallen soldier Sergeant Major (Res.) Asa'el Babad's young son recites Kaddish in a voice choked with tears.

Bereaved father slams Netanyahu:

This is not what victory looks like

Danny Steinberg, father of fallen soldier Colonel Yehonatan Steinberg, demands Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keep his promises to the people, slams plan to move to 'second stage' of ceasefire with Hamas.

New bill for IDF orphans takes off

Labor and Welfare Committee approves historic amendment to Bereaved Families Law, providing additional funds and support for IDF orphans.

Parents of Hostage:

'Don't leave Ran behind!'

The family of Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, denounced Trump's push to begin the second phase of the Gaza plan as abandoning Israel's security.

Bereaved father to former MK: 'You sell your soul to terrorists'

Bereaved father Yossi Cohen lashes out at former Meretz MK Mossi Raz at meeting on freezing monies used to pay terrorists' salaries.

Watch:

Watch: Man arrested in Haifa while honoring fallen brother

Menachem Cohen, a bereaved brother, was arrested on Friday in Haifa after he set up a street tefillin booth to commemorate a brother killed in action in Gaza.

Bereaved brother:

Meron disaster closely connected to Jerusalem ramming

Yisrael Diskind, whose brother Simcha Bunim Diskind was killed in the 2021 Meron disaster, details the connection between the tragedies and who he believes must be held responsible.

'I Knew We'd Be Free:'

Eli Sharabi's story of faith under Gaza

Former hostage Eli Sharabi shares how he is coping with loss, his faith in being freed, and his longing for life in Kibbutz Be'eri.

Bereaved families to Trump: Ensure Hamas' total destruction

Bereaved families pen letter to US President Donald Trump, demanding he not compel Israel to progress second stage of Gaza ceasefire until Hamas is completely destroyed and the last hostage returned.

Watch:

Captivity survivor and war widow in moving duet

Freed hostage Agam Berger duets with war widow Rachel Goldberg in moving performance at educational conference.

Moving story of a war widow's engagement

A meeting at a Chabad House in Michigan led to the engagement of Naora, the widow of Bechor Swid, who fell on October 7 while defending the town of Shlomit.

To those mourning in Australia:

Hands across the ocean - from Israel's bereaved children

A message of love and faith from 400 bereaved children in Israel to the bereaved and injured children and families of the Bondi Beach masssacre.

10-year-old Matilda, murdered in Sydney massacre, is laid to rest

Family and friends of Matilda, the youngest victim of the Sydney Hanukkah massacre, wear bee stickers in tribute to Matilda's middle name, 'Bee.'

Ran Gvili's sister

'I don't want to be the next Ron Arad family'

Shira Gvili called on decision-makers to keep their promise and return her brother - the last hostage still held in Gaza.

Deceased hostage's father:

'We pray he won't become another Ron Arad'

Itzik Gvili, father of deceased hostage Ran Gvili, says Hamas claims they do not know where his son's body is located. 'We pray he won't become another Ron Arad.'

Families of Hamas attack victims sue Binance

Oct. 7 families’ lawsuit says Bitcoin CEO, whom Trump pardoned, facilitated $1B in payments to Hamas and its allies.