Tel Aviv, Nov 28

Carmit Palty Katzir -- daughter of Hannah Katzir, who was released from Hamas captivity, had to go through trauma of separation and reunion following the October 7 attack by Hamas.

Following the attack, Carmitâ€™s father (Rami Katzir) was killed while her mother (Hannah Katzir) and brother (Elan Katzir) were taken hostage by the Hamas. Katzir family resides in Kibbutz; they are originally from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

â€œIt was a black day filled with fear, uncertainty, and shock. We were unable to handle the grave situation,â€ Carmit said.

Carmit lost contact with her parents after 9:30 AM. â€œI was the last one who spoke to my brother,â€ she said.

Following the kidnapping of her mother and brother, she first saw them after Hamas released the videos of the hostages. â€œWe were happy to see her in these videos,â€ Carmit said.

Last week Carmit received the news that Hamas will be releasing her family members on humanitarian grounds. However, she was soon to receive the â€œbad newsâ€ that her mother was dead.

On last Thursday, Carmit then received the good news that her mother has not died and will be released along with other hostages.

â€œAfter we got the news that my mother is alive our happiness knew no boundaries. But at the same time we wanted to keep a low profile following the uncertainty of negotiations between the Israeli government and Hamas,â€ Carmit said.

Carmit, after going through an ordeal, met her mother at an Israeli hospital after she was released following Qatar brokered deal between Israel and Hamas.

â€œWe saw her at the hospital. The reunion was filled with emotions,â€ Carmit said.

Not knowing about her husbandâ€™s death, she (Hannah) immediately asked Carmit about her husband and her son (Elan).

â€œMy mother wasnâ€™t in a good medical condition. She had lost 20 kilos. So, we did not share the news with her. Weâ€™re ecstatic that my mother is back,â€ Carmit said.

She said that the fight is on to get Elan and other hostages released from Hamas.

â€œIsraeli government should get all the hostages and my brother back at the earliest,â€ Carmit said.

Israeli hostages: A tale of separation and reunion