On october 7th 2023, early in the morning, Shahar (Debbie) and Shlomi Mathias were sheltered in the safe room of their home in Kibbutz Holit with their youngest son, Rotem (16). When the terrorists broke in, shooting and throwing grenades, Shlomi was guarding the door while Shahar laid over Rotem, protecting him with her body and thus saving his life. They were both killed.
Their daughters, Shir (21) and Shakked (19) were each hiding in her own room in the Kibbutz. The last messages they saw before the reception was lost were Rotem's, telling them that their parents had died. They remained out of touch for many hours before being rescued, to find their brother injured, but alive.
Their daughters, Shir (21) and Shakked (19) were each hiding in her own room in the Kibbutz. The last messages they saw before the reception was lost were Rotem's, telling them that their parents had died. They remained out of touch for many hours before being rescued, to find their brother injured, but alive.
I had the enormous privilege to tell this beautiful family's story in 'The Day Everything Changed', a collection of 10 heroic stories from Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7th.
Published by Yuka Books and edited by Netta Gurevitz and Asaf Hanuka.
Published by Yuka Books and edited by Netta Gurevitz and Asaf Hanuka.
