The Witzen Family from Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on October 7 | Kan 7.10.360

Talia (32) and Amichai Witzen (33) are jolted awake by red alert sirens. They quickly gather their five children and rush to their home's safe room, joined by Talia's brother, Hillel (25), and his wife, Rinat (22), who had been staying with them for the holiday. As the family huddles together, the ominous sound of heavy rocket fire echoes outside. About fifteen minutes later, Talia receives a message from the local emergency team (Tzachi) on her WhatsApp, urging all kibbutz residents to remain in secure shelters

Amichai steps out of the safe room with his phone. As a member of the kibbutz security squad, he prepares to report for duty and assist in the community’s defense. Upon switching on his phone, he receives a message from the Kibbutz Ravshatz (Military Ongoing Security Coordinator), Elia Ben Shimul, instructing squad members to prepare for the escalating situation. Amichai retrieves his weapon from his vault, straps on a vest, and secures his helmet. Ten minutes later, he leaves the house

Throughout the morning, Talia and Amichai exchange messages. Talia tells Amichai she can hear gunfire and asks him to survey the area around their home. Amichai keeps her updated despite the nearby fighting, reassuring her that the situation is under control. He also suggests she keep the children occupied with games and activities inside the safe room

Talia messages Amichai again, saying she hears gunfire near the house. Amichai contacts her brother, Hillel, asking him to determine whether the shots are coming from the security squad or terrorists. At the center of the kibbutz, Amichai and fellow security squad member Shirel Habaz respond to a call from Avital Schindler, who reports hearing voices inside her home. As Amichai and Shirel approach the Schindler residence, an RPG is fired at them, detonating just beside them. Though shaken and covered in dust, they remain unharmed and quickly decide to advance using an alternative route

Amichai returns to his home and surveys the courtyard for any signs of danger. Just as he is about to enter the house, a loud explosion echoes from the direction of the Schindler family residence. Amichai and Shirel immediately rush to respond, leaving Amichai no time to visit Talia and the children. As they advance towards the Schindler home, located by the kibbutz fence, they spot a breach in the barrier and realise it was the terrorists’ point of entry

Amichai and Shirel advance toward the fence engaged in a firefight with terrorists. Unbeknownst to them, terrorists are inside the Schindler family home, and the explosion they heard was caused by an explosive device planted on the door of the family's safe room. With their backs to the house, Amichai and Shirel remain unaware of the danger lurking behind them. Spotting them through the living room window, the terrorists open fire, striking Amichai and killing him

The bullet struck Amichai’s phone, which he had been carrying against his chest, rendering it useless. Until that moment, he had been in constant contact with Talia, but now, as her messages go unanswered, anxiety begins to set in. She reaches out to another kibbutz resident whose husband is also part of the security squad, hoping for information. Initially, when the woman tells her that none of their partners are responding, Talia feels a brief sense of relief, assuming they are simply occupied. However, as communication with the squad gradually resumes and Amichai remains silent, a deep fear takes hold—something is wrong

Avital Schindler and her six children are evicted to the Witzen family's safe room. The explosion in their home had seriously injured Avital’s husband, also named Amichai, who was evicted from the scene for medical treatment. With their arrival, fifteen people are now crowded in the Witzens' house's safe room. As Talia listens to Avital recount their ordeal, she begins to grasp the severity of the situation outside. She keeps reaching out to the wives of security squad members, hoping for news about Amichai, but receives no clear answers. Over the next few hours, she repeatedly calls Meiri Finish, a member of the security squad stationed in the kibbutz situation room, unbeknownst to her, he is guarding Amichai’s body—he avoids answering her calls

Avital Schindler receives a phone call, and Talia overhears her saying, “Don’t come now, her brother is praying.” In that moment, Talia realises that officials are on their way to inform her of Amichai’s death. She turns to her brother and tells him that people are coming with news about Amichai. Soon after, an IDF team arrives at the house, accompanied by a doctor who had been staying at the kibbutz. They deliver Talia the heartbreaking news—Amichai has been killed. The officials ask Talia to inform the children. She first breaks the news to her three eldest: Tzur David (9), Or (7), and Kerem (5). Then, with a heavy heart, she tells her two youngest daughters, Ruth (3) and Shachar (1)

Following the announcement of Amichai’s death, Talia requests evacuation from the kibbutz. Over the next few hours, she remains in constant contact with IDF personnel and the Kibbutz Ravshatz to organise the evacuation for herself and the children. Around 22:30, they are transported to Neve, where they stay until Sunday afternoon. They are then relocated to Psagot, where Amichai was raised and where his parents still live