By: Marelinke van der Riet 

Here are a few powerful stories that highlight the bravery and resilience of the heroes and survivors of October 7. Each narrative reflects the courage and determination of individuals who faced unimaginable challenges. As you read on, you’ll uncover their remarkable journeys.

Sapir Cohen
Sapir Cohen, a dedicated 29-year-old police officer from Nir Oz, faced unimaginable adversity during the brutal Hamas assault on her kibbutz on October 7 last year. As chaos erupted around her, she displayed remarkable courage and quick thinking, prioritising the safety of others even at great personal risk. 

Amid blaring rocket sirens and gunfire all around, she directed her neighbours to safety and relayed critical information to fellow officers. However, Sapir was shot in the leg and severely injured. Yet through the pain, she never abandoned her post and continued shielding other residents. But she was eventually taken hostage by Hamas militants and had to endure 55 days of captivity under harsh conditions in Gaza, until she was released on November 30 as part of a ceasefire deal. 

Sapir has since travelled near and far to tell the story of how she survived the ordeal. It turns out she was not very religious, but a few months earlier she had a foreboding sense that danger was just ahead for her. She even went to doctors thinking she had a serious disease. Then someone told her to recite the Book of Psalms to maintain her health, and she learned several by heart, especially Psalm 27. Thus, she was able to pray this particular prayer of David every day while in captivity, and it greatly strengthened her. Sapir credits this new-found faith in God for allowing her to survive and return home. 

Eden Nimri
Eden Nimri, 22, was captain of an elite all-female IDF unit as well as a talented swimmer for the Israeli national team. She tragically lost her life on October 7 while fighting against Hamas terrorists at the Nahal Oz military outpost right on the Gaza border. 

When the sirens sounded that tragic morning, Eden swiftly led her team to a nearby bomb shelter. As terrorists tried to storm the shelter, she realised she was the only one of her fellow female soldiers who was armed. Thus, Eden positioned herself at the entrance and ordered her comrades to flee through a back entry. She opened fire on the first terrorist to enter but was quickly overwhelmed by several more Hamas militiamen armed with grenades and assault rifles. Yet through her leadership and courage, eleven of her comrades were able to reach another safe location. Eden truly made the ultimate sacrifice to protect her fellow soldiers. 

Ori Megidish
Ori Megidish was a 19-year-old female ‘observer’ soldier stationed at the Nahal Oz army base and tasked with monitoring movements along the nearby Gaza border security fence. During the Hamas assault on October 7, she was injured in the head, legs and chest, and then abducted, enduring 23 harrowing days in captivity. But on October 30 last year, she became the first hostage rescued by Israeli forces from Gaza. Her ordeal captured widespread attention and is a testimony to her family’s strong faith in God. 

In the days before her rescue, Ori’s family brought a Torah scroll into their home and even into Ori’s bedroom, and fervently prayed for divine intervention. Her mother, in particular, cried out with tears before the Lord for her daughter’s return. The family’s prayers and act of faith in the God of the Bible was filmed, and this footage later provided evidence that the Lord indeed was answering their pleas. Somehow, Ori managed to escape her captors and make contact with Israeli forces, who located her and brought her to safety in a daring operation in the heart of Gaza City amid intense battles. 

Aner Shapira 
Aner Elyakim Shapira, 22, was tragically killed during the Hamas-led massacre at the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im on October 7 last year. Aner was an IDF Staff Sergeant in a Nahal Brigade reconnaissance unit, but was off-duty and attending the outdoor music festival with close friends, including soon-to-be-hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Aner displayed extraordinary courage amid the brutal Hamas assault and managed to save many lives that day. 

Though unarmed, Aner became a vital protector for about 30 Israelis who sought refuge in a cramped roadside bomb shelter. When terrorists began throwing grenades into the shelter, Aner bravely caught at least seven live grenades and tossed them back out before succumbing to the eighth. He also had quickly instructed others to continue his efforts should he fall. A survivor of the attack later insisted that Aner “saved our lives” and deserved a medal of honour for being “an angel who guarded us.” 

The ICEJ is involved in numerous aid and relief efforts to help the Israeli people during the difficult war launched by Hamas on October 7. We are on the frontlines of this battle on your behalf. So please give your best gift today towards our Israel in Crisis Fund​.

Donate today: help.icej.org/crisis

Main photo: Burnt cars near the entrance to Kibbutz Alumim, October 9, 2023. Photo by Yossi Zamir/Flash90.