Karp Family
As rockets struck Kibbutz Reim on October 7th, Milka and Shabtay Gabay sheltered in their safe room while their son, Yuval, 35, was called to military service. He messaged his family, “I love you. I’m Sorry I’m not there to protect you.” Two hours later, en route to Itamar with his unit, Yuval was killed by gunfire
Parents Milka and Shabtay Honor Yuval Through a Tribute made by HaPoel Tel Aviv Football Club Fans
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Milka (71) and Shabtay (66) Gabay wake up on Saturday, October 7th, at their home in Kibbutz Re'im to the sounds of explosions and gunfire. They quickly take shelter in their safe room. At the same time, sirens ring out in Rehovot as rockets are fired. Their eldest son, Yuval, and his partner, Tair, run to the stairwell of their apartment building, which is considered a designated safe zone. The Gabays' younger daughter, Yael (30), returned to her Tel Aviv apartment hours earlier from the Nova party near Re'im. At the same time their middle son, Alon (33), is on holiday in the Sinai desert in Egypt with his partner, Noga
The Ravshatz (Military Security Coordinator) of the kibbutz, Harel Oren, informs the Kibbutz’s WhatsApp group of a suspected terrorist infiltration near the Gazan border, instructing residents to lock themselves in their safe rooms. Shabtay grabs a long knife, Milka gathers water and food, and together they secure themselves in their home's safe room
Yuval checks on his parents and siblings' safety, writing in the family's WhatsApp group: “Good morning. Isn't Alarms just fum? Are you guys all right?” Milka responds that they are in the safe room and that the gunfire outside their home is relentless: “It’s like a drum orchestra here.” Shabtay, deputy director of the Eshkol Council and responsible for the engineering of the Nova festival complex, expresses concern for the partygoers: “I’m scared for the guys at the rave party near Re’im.” Meanwhile, Milka, a member of the local emergency team, coordinates the kibbutz security personnel from her safe room, ensuring she knows each team member's position
Armed terrorists driving pickup trucks and motorcycles storm Highway 232, firing indiscriminately at passing vehicles in all directions. The road, located next to the kibbutz fence, becomes a scene of intense gunfire that Shabtay and Milka can hear clearly from their safe room
Kibbutz residents are informed that terrorists had infiltrated the community. Milka and Shabtay prepare for the worst, dividing roles in case their home is breached: Shabtay would defend them with a knife, while Malka would use a heavy object to strike them. Throughout the day, they hear gunfire nearby and shouting in Arabic
The family's eldest son, Yuval, a squad commander in Battalion 8109 of the Samaria Regional Brigade, receives urgent orders to report to Camp Ofer near Jerusalem at 12:30 p.m.
Yuval arrives at his unit’s gathering point at Camp Ofer, where he completes a process to replace regular troops in the region, who are being mobilized to respond to attacks on villages in southern Israel. Meanwhile, Alon, the middle son, informs his parents that he and his partner, Noga, have reached the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt on their return to Israel
After several hours without updates, Yuval finally messages the family group informing them that he is still waiting for orders. He writes: “Mom, Dad, I love you. Please take care of yourselves. I'm sorry I'm not there in Re'im to protect you.”
An IDF unit, moving through each house, arrives at Milka and Shabtay’s home. They conduct a thorough search and instruct the couple to remain in their safe room until dawn
While en route from Camp Ofer to the settlement of Itamar with his unit, Yuval is struck by gunfire and killed. His family doesn’t receive the news of his death until the following day
The Kibbutz security squad visits Milka and Shabtay’s house and asks them to shelter the Montford family — a couple with three young children — until security forces can confirm the area is safe. Together, the seven individuals spend the night in the Gabays’ safe room
The Gabays' middle son, Alon, a reserve combat soldier, reports to a field base near Beersheba as instructed
Since the battles began on Saturday, October 7th, Kibbutz Re’im was unreachable. Physical access and communication lines were both disrupted. It isn't until Sunday morning that two officers arrive at the Gabay family home to inform Milka and Shabtay of their son’s death. Devastated, they decide to leave the kibbutz and stay with relatives in Ramat Hasharon
A ceremony is held in honor of Yuval at Holon's cemetery before his funeral. The family requests Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club fans, Yuval’s favorite football team, to attend the ceremony wearing red shirts. Afterward, the Gabays, along with Tair, Yuval's partner, and several soldiers from Yuval’s unit travel to the military section of the cemetery in Kibbutz Re’im. There, in complete darkness and under heavy security, Yuval’s funeral takes place in the kibbutz where he was born and raised. Following the funeral, the military allows the family a brief visit to their home to collect photo albums and personal belongings
Yael and Alon Embrace Their father, Shabtay, at Yuval's Funeral
According to the Hebrew calendar, Alon and his wife Noga welcomed their first son exactly on the anniversary of Yuval's death, making Milka and Shabtay grandparents
Gonni Gabay: Milka and Shabtay's Eldest Grandson
המתחם האינטראקטיבי של מפת העוטף ב-7 באוקטובר 2023 נועד לתעד ולהנציח את האירועים שהתרחשו ביישובי עוטף עזה באמצעות תיעודים מזמן אמת, דקה אחר דקה.
הפרויקט בהליכי בנייה ותחקיר, בשלבים הבאים יתווספו נקודות רבות על המפה, לרבות בסיסי צה”ל, הרחבת אזורי המסיבות והדרכים המובילות לעוטף.
לפרטים נוספים וליצירת קשר לחצו כאן
אזהרה: התוכן מכיל תיאורים ותיעודים קשים לצפייה
