Rachel and David were held hostage by five Hamas soldiers for 15 hours before the Israeli police could come to their rescue. They tell the Israeli media about the hours of terror.
– They told us that “we are martyrs”, they had come to kill us, says Rachel.
Early on Saturday morning, October 7, the air raid warning sounded over Israel. Terrorist Hamas, which has been in control of Gaza for more than 15 years, had fired thousands of rockets.
At the same time, soldiers forced the fences towards Israel and entered on foot.
There were reports of hostage taking.
“Come to kill us”
One of those taken hostage is Rachel and her husband David. On Saturday, five armed Hamas men broke into their shared home. Under threat of death, they asked for food.
– I said: “You know what, you’ll get something to eat”, says Rachel, showing plates full of food still left after the hostage-taking.
– I gave them a lot. They got a drink, Coke zero, water and a lot of food.
The soldiers, one of whom was injured, held the couple at gunpoint throughout the day.
– They kept saying “we are martyrs, we are martyrs, we are martyrs”, says Rachel.
Towards dusk, Rachel and David, whose sons both work in the Israeli police, sensed that something was happening outside.
Shooting in the house
With the help of the couple’s sons, officers from the Israeli Task Force were able to surround the house and receive directives on the best way to enter.
The task force stormed the home and killed the Hamas soldiers.
– They shot them and then, I don’t know how it happened. I just thank god. They are my heroes and I love them, says Rachel.