16‑year-old miraculously survived, but lost his family. Grandfather saved him from the terrorists
Journalists from "The Washington Post" described the story of 16-year-old Rotem, who miraculously survived after a terrorist attack by Hamas. The helpless boy listened as the fighters approached his home and murdered his relatives. His grandfather helped him by texting him instructions on how to behave in order to survive. This story sends chills down the spine.
10:52 AM EDT, October 11, 2023
Deborah and her husband Shlomi were killed at the hands of Hamas fighters who attacked their home in Kibbutz Holit, near Beersheba. Before all hell broke loose, they called Deborah's father, Ilam. Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted by a break-in at the house. Residents heard gunshots and the sound of breaking glass. The conversation with the father quickly ended.
As it turned out a few hours later, the couple was murdered by Hamas militants. Their 16-year-old son, Rotem, miraculously survived. His parents saved him, shielding him with their own bodies and sacrificing their lives for their offspring. However, the nightmare did not end; Rotem had to be wary of extremists who were plundering the surroundings. Additionally, he was injured.
Two Rotema sisters, aged 19 and 21, who lived in another part of the housing estate, did not get hurt. Their story was described by "The Washington Post".
The desperate struggle to save the young boy from terrorists lasted for the next 12 hours. The grandfather and his relatives continuously sent text messages to the boy - they avoided phone calls so as not to attract the attention of the tormentors - instructing him on how to dress wounds and how to survive. He was able to dress the gunshot wound to his stomach and rest, avoiding significant blood loss.
It wasn't until the evening that soldiers arrived at Rotem, who took him to a hospital in Beer Sheva. The area was cleared of terrorists, and the family quickly reached the medical facility. The murdered couple had Israeli and American passports, their story quickly circulated in the media.
Israel in shock after Hamas terrorists attack
The Israelis are in shock, seeing that their tormentors arrived very well-trained and knew exactly what they were going to do, "They came to kill. They returned several times to make sure they had succeeded" - the survivors of the pogrom, organized by the Palestinians, say.
Amidst all the suffering and pain, we have deep anger within us - said the boy's grandfather, Ilam Troen, about the moods in Israel.
Deborah and Shlomi Matias found themselves among at least 900 victims of a terrorist attack by Hamas. About a hundred Israelis were taken prisoner and kidnapped by Hamas to the Gaza Strip. A retaliatory attack by Israeli forces has already claimed the lives of over 680 Palestinians, the military is preparing for a ground invasion in Gaza and bombards the region relentlessly.
Israel has announced a blockade of the Gaza Strip, including cutting off food supplies, fuel, and electricity. The Hamas attack occurred after decades of unrest and attacks, in which since 2008, 6407 Palestinians and 308 Israelis have died - reports "The Washington Post". Israel's retaliation will surely be very brutal.
