Katz Asher family
75-year-old historian Alex Danzig, a founder of the Youth Expeditions to Poland and father to Ben, Matti, Yuval and Lee, was kidnapped Saturday morning. His last conversation was with his girlfriend Batya, who he planned to meet later that day. Several months into his captivity, the IDF announced his death. His body was recovered in August 2024.
Alex Danzig in Nir Oz
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The morning of October 7th sees heavy rocket barrages towards the settlements surrounding the Gaza Strip - the Gaza Envelope (heb: Otef Aza).
The kibbutz's messaging app warns of an infiltration by terrorists. Alex immediately calls to warn his son, Mati, who also lives on the kibbutz
Alex chats with his close friend, Batya Dvir, whom he was supposed to visit that Saturday. The two talk about postponing the planned visit
Alex chats with Batia again. It is their last conversation.
Alex's family and relatives try to reach out, but there is no response. It is assumed that he has been kidnapped along with other elderly members. They are the first of the kibbutz to be abducted to Gaza.
Alex's children repeatedly try to contact him. They ask the members of the kibbutz if anyone knows what is going on with him, but fail to get any information.
The IDF retrieves the body of Alex Danzig along with five other hostages' bodies in a military operation in the Gaza Strip
More than three weeks after October 7th, Alex's family learns that he has been kidnapped. “We have received information from the IDF that confirms the fact that my father was kidnapped,” says Yuval Danzig in an interview with Arieh Golan for Kan Reshet Bet radio station.
A message from Alex: Hostages released to Israel report that Alex is alive, but is not receiving the medication he requires
Yuval Danzig in an interview with Esti Perez on Kan Reshet Bet: “The concern is huge, my father needs medication.”
The IDF announces that hostages Alex Danzig from Nir Oz and Yegev Buchshtab from Kibbutz Nirim have been killed in Hamas captivity and that their bodies are being held in Gaza
