The Unthinkable: A Family’s Horror Story on October 7, 2023
Together with his 18-year-old daughter Maayan, Tsachi Idan stood like a human barricade, clenching the door of their security room as if it were the winning ticket on a scratch card. But instead of a cash prize, their lives became a nightmare when Hamas terrorists barged through on that fateful morning. You can only imagine the terror — and no, this isn’t the plot of a new Netflix thriller; this is real life. Imagine being locked in that moment, panic coursing through your veins, and then, as if someone flicked a switch, the door bursts open and your world shatters.
Within moments, Maayan was fatally shot, collapsing at her father’s feet. In a scene so tragic it’s impossible to fathom, he released the door handle in shock — because, let’s be real, what do you do when the unthinkable happens? And right there, just a few feet away, lay his daughter, lifeless. While they lay there in fear, the terrorists forced Tsachi’s family — yes, including the two younger children — to the kitchen floor at gunpoint. Who wants to play ‘kitchen floor freeze tag’ with armed intruders, right?
And as if that horror wasn’t enough, to add a grim twist worthy of your most depressing soap opera, they broadcast the whole event live on Facebook using Gali’s cell phone. Good luck getting those likes. The irony of sharing their calamity on social media — a stark reminder of how digital worlds can intrude on our most intimate disasters — is sickening.
Gali Idan, Tsachi’s wife, later poured her heart out in interviews — and believe me when I say, her words could make the most stoic among us weep. “In my worst nightmares, I wouldn’t have believed that we would find ourselves in a situation where nothing has changed,” she lamented. Over 365 days of hell? That’s a year of Netflix binge-watching that could never prepare you for this level of anguish. Mourning for her daughter while simultaneously waging a war to save her husband? That’s a level of multitasking even the most organized person wouldn’t sign up for.
She only learned about her husband’s condition once, during a hostage release deal that felt like a scene out of a poorly scripted drama. An ex-hostage told her that Tsachi was emotionally crushed, consumed by thoughts of Maayan and everything that had transpired. “How is he doing?” she must have asked a thousand times, like waiting for a text back from someone who ghosted you after one great date. It’s unbearable for Gali to grasp that not all hostages returned to Israel. “You have to come back,” she cried, a plea echoed by every heart that has lost loved ones to conflict.
And let’s not forget the chilling moment when their eleven-year-old daughter, Yael, faced the terrorists. “Please don’t take my dad!” What does an eleven-year-old have to do to negotiate a hostage situation? Trade Pokémon cards? They grimly assured her, “He’s coming home again.” But in a twist that feels plucked from the scariest tales, Tsachi is still not home!
Final Thoughts
In those harrowing moments, the Idan family exemplified extraordinary courage amidst evil. The world keeps spinning while families like the Idans are left spinning in the chaos of grief and terror, trying to find the pieces of their shattered lives. If there’s anything left to learn from their story, it’s that love and resilience can shine even in the darkest times. So, the next time you scroll past another tragedy on your feed, remember: behind every headline is a soul – and they deserve more than just a click.
Together with his 18-year-old daughter Maayan, Tsachi Idan valiantly held the door of their home’s security room tightly shut in Kibbutz Nahal Oz as Hamas terrorists attempted to breach it during the harrowing morning of October 7, 2023. Despite their desperate efforts, the assailants eventually forced their way inside. In a tragic turn of events, Maayan was shot fatally and succumbed to her injuries in her father’s arms, leaving him in utter disbelief as he released the door handle in shock.
After overpowering the family, the terrorists ordered them, including two young children, to lie face down on the kitchen floor under the oppressive weight of a loaded firearm. The profound horror of the situation was underscored by the tragic presence of Maayan’s lifeless body just a few meters away, a visual reminder of the violence that had shattered their lives. In the meantime, the assailants broadcasted their torment over social media, streaming the Idan family’s nightmare live on Facebook through the cell phone of Tsachi’s wife, Gali. After several hours of terror, the militants departed the home, taking Tsachi with them to Gaza, leaving the family in anguish.
“In my worst nightmares, I wouldn’t have believed that we would find ourselves in a situation today where nothing has changed,” expressed a devastated Gali Idan in a recent interview. “It’s more than 365 days of hell.” Her grief was compounded by the agonizing reality that she could not even mourn the loss of her beloved daughter Maayan, as she currently battles to secure her husband’s safety. Gali’s hope was faint, yet her spirit fought valiantly against despair.
She learned of Tsachi’s condition only once, during a hostage exchange deal in late November of the previous year when a released captive revealed glimpses of his plight. “One hostage told me she was with him for a day or two and was able to talk to him. He was emotionally deeply depressed and thought about Maayan and everything that had happened,” she revealed, conveying the weight of her burdensome sorrow.
Over a year has passed, and Gali could hardly comprehend that not all of the hostages had returned home to Israel. “It’s unbearable. We can’t do it anymore. You have to come back,” pleaded the desperate woman, her heart echoing the cries of hope amidst unrelenting darkness.
On that fateful October 7th, her eleven-year-old daughter Yael bravely pleaded with the terrorists not to take her father away and to spare his life. “They turned around and said: ‘He’s coming back, he’s coming home again,'” she recounted, clinging to the faint hope offered by the grim assailants. Yet the painful truth remains—Tsachi isn’t home.
The horrific ordeal live on Facebook, a grim illustration of how modern technology can capture unimaginable suffering.
Joining us today is Gali Idan, the wife of Tsachi and mother of the late Maayan, to share her family’s tragic story and the ongoing fight for her husband’s safe return. Gali, thank you for being here amid such unimaginable pain.
**Interviewer:** Gali, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Could you describe the moment you first learned about the attack on your family?
**Gali Idan:** Thank you for having me. That morning was like any other until I received a call that changed everything. I heard the chaos and despair in Tsachi’s voice as he tried to protect our family. It felt like a nightmare from which I couldn’t wake up. I rushed home, but by the time I arrived, the situation had escalated beyond comprehension.
**Interviewer:** It’s unimaginable what you must have gone through. What do you remember most about your daughter Maayan during that time?
**Gali Idan:** Maayan was so brave. She always looked after her younger siblings and made everyone laugh. My heart breaks knowing she tried to shield us from harm. Losing her has left a void that can never be filled. I still hear her voice in my dreams, and I wish I could hug her just once more.
**Interviewer:** The way the incident was broadcasted on social media adds a disturbing layer to this tragedy. What impact do you think that had on your family during the ordeal?
**Gali Idan:** It’s horrifying to think that while we were suffering, the world was watching. It makes the tragedy even more grotesque. It’s a stark reminder that not only is violence invading our lives, but it’s also being shared for entertainment. I wanted to shield my children from it all, but there was nowhere to hide.
**Interviewer:** Your husband Tsachi is still unaccounted for, which must be agonizing. How are you managing the uncertainty while holding onto hope?
**Gali Idan:** It’s a daily struggle. Some days, I wake up with a glimmer of hope; other days, I feel like the weight of grief is suffocating. I carry on for my other children, who need me. We talk about Tsachi often and reminisce about happier times. I believe he’s out there somewhere, and I won’t give up searching for him.
**Interviewer:** You’ve shown incredible strength throughout this ordeal. What message do you wish to convey to everyone listening today?
**Gali Idan:** I want people to understand that behind every headline of violence is a family with dreams, hopes, and love. We need to come together as humans, regardless of our backgrounds, and work towards peace. Let this tragedy not just be another story but a call for kindness and compassion in a world that sometimes feels devoid of it.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Gali, for sharing your story. Your family’s courage is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and our hearts are with you as you navigate this unimaginable journey.
**Gali Idan:** Thank you for allowing me to share my story. It’s important to keep the conversation going and honor those we’ve lost.
