Dror Oraged 49, was confirmed to have been killed during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. The Israeli government stated on Thursday that his body was taken to Gaza.
“We are heartbroken to share that Dror Or who was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, had been confirmed as murdered and his body is being held in Gaza. Dror’s wife Yonat was murdered on October 7. His children Alma (13) and Noam (17) who were held hostage by Hamas and released in November, are now orphans along with their older brother Yahli. May Dror’s memory be a blessing.” the Israel government wrote on X.
The circumstances surrounding Or’s death remain unclear, with the government yet to disclose how they obtained this information. He was one of approximately 250 individuals taken captive during Hamas’ assault, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 others, including 33 Americans.
It is suspected that Or’s wife, Yonat, was fatally shot while attempting to seek refuge during the attack on October 7.
Meanwhile, two of the couple’s three children, Noam, aged 17, and Alma, aged 13, were taken hostage and remained in captivity until November when they were released as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Alma,13 (AP image)
Noam Or, 17 (AP Image)
“My sister, their mom, was murdered on October 7. The children did not know that. We thought they were together when they were kidnapped, but they were separated from the outset,” their uncle Ahal Besorai told CNN in November.
Hamas, the governing body of the Gaza Strip, has been classified as a terrorist organization by the United States and numerous Western nations.
According to United Nations experts, Hamas militants were responsible for carrying out gang rapes and other forms of sexual violence during the attack.
Israel’s assessment indicates that 129 captives are still held in Gaza, with 35 confirmed dead, including Or.
