Luis Rotman From Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha on October 7th | Kan 07.10.360

In the early morning of October 7th, red alerts echo through Kibbutz Ein HaShlosha. Luis Rotman, aged 70, initially remains in bed. Minutes later, as the rocket barrages persist, he rises and moves to his home's safe room

The rocket barrages cease at a certain point, and Luis goes to the restroom. Hearing an unusual noise, he glances out of the window and spots two individuals attempting to break into his neighbor's house. He shouts, “What are you two doing there?” and they run off

Luis returns to the safe room and opens the window, trying to figure out who the figures outside are. The two individuals start shooting at him, hitting the window. Realizing they are terrorists infiltrating his community from Gaza, Luis quickly goes to his home's vault, retrieves his pistol, and returns to the safe room

As Luis takes cover beneath his safe room window, one of his neighbors calls him asking for help. He moves to his living room and spots terrorists attempting to break into another neighbor's house. He fires in their direction but fails to hit them. Later that day, Luis fires over fifty bullets at terrorists moving through the kibbutz, taking aim from the windows of his home

Terrorists attempt to detonate a gas cylinder at the entrance to Luis's house. Hearing a noise outside the window and smelling a strong odor, Luis spots two terrorists at his front door. He fires, hitting one of them, while the other flees. After waiting a few moments for the area to quiet down, Luis steps outside and discovers a perforated gas cylinder on his doorstep. He then checks on his neighbor's safety before returning home

Luis turns on the television to follow developments in the country’s southern region until the power is cut off. He wants to make himself a coffee, but with no electricity, he goes to his neighbor Alisa Pataki’s house. Upon entering, he finds her hiding under blankets in her safe room. He calls out to her, and together they go to another neighbor, Adi Perri’s house, and enter her safe room. On the way, Luis notices his friend Silvia Mirensky’s house is burning. Around 3:30 p.m., security forces arrive at Adi’s house and instruct Luis, Adi, and Alisa to remain in the safe room. Later, Luis learns that his Silvia Mirensky has been murdered

After spending over 12 hours in the safe room with Adi and Alisa, Luis returns home for the rest of the night

Luis is evacuated to the city of Eilat on a military truck, along with other residents of the kibbutz