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Hope Dies Last: The Children Abducted on October 7th and Their Stories of Survival

Writer's picture: Linoy Frankiensztajn, Ph.D.Linoy Frankiensztajn, Ph.D.

This article is inspired by a recent study by Katz et al (2024) that dives into the experiences of Israeli children held captive in Gaza after the October 7th attack. I find it important to share the key insights from the research in a way that resonates with everyone because it’s crucial to acknowledge their experiences, foster empathy, and ensure their stories are heard and remembered. We’ll look at the emotional turmoil they endured, their longing for family, the resilience they developed together, their complex relationships with their captors, and ultimately, the role that hope played in their survival.


The Harrowing Impact of October 7th on Israeli Children


On October 7th, 2023, the lives of dozens of Israeli children were shattered when Hamas launched a brutal attack, killing 38 children and abducting 42 . These abducted children, ranging in age from 9 months to 18 years, were taken from their homes and held captive in Gaza, where they endured unimaginable horrors. For nearly two months, they faced constant fear, violence, and isolation, separated from their families and thrust into a hostile environment.


The children who survived this ordeal returned deeply scarred, not only physically but also emotionally and mentally, coping with the trauma of abduction, captivity, and the loss of innocence. The impact of this collective trauma is felt across the country, with a study conducted by Goshen revealing that a staggering 84% of children ages 2 to 12 now suffer from emotional distress, underscoring the profound and long-lasting effects on their development.


child in the dark

Emotional Turmoil in Captivity: Fear and Despair


The children abducted faced constant fear during their captivity, as they lived under the daily threat of violence and death. One child described the experience as “living the death,” always uncertain of when or how they might be harmed. Many were afraid to fall asleep, not knowing what the next morning might bring.


Another child recounted the suffocating fear he felt every night:

"I was afraid to go to sleep. I didn’t know if I would fall asleep, and I didn’t know what would happen in the morning if I woke up… I didn’t know. I kept telling myself there was a chance that I would go to sleep and not wake up." 

This vivid description highlights the intensity of the anxiety these children faced, with even basic functions like sleep becoming fraught with uncertainty.


Longing for Family and Home


Throughout their captivity, the children experienced an intense longing for their families and the normal lives they had lost. They yearned for simple joys, like playing outside or eating home-cooked meals. These desires often manifested as dreams, particularly for the older children, who would wake up devastated to realize that the life they longed for was still out of reach, their families still far away.

As the researchers noted, “The children described captivity as ‘another universe’ without any air or light, where the familiar was replaced by fear and uncertainty. Their longing for home was a powerful reminder of the life and security they had lost.”

In addition to the pain of being separated from their families, the children also endured the uncertainty of not knowing what had happened to their loved ones. They had witnessed the violent destruction of their communities but were left without information about the fates of their families or the outcome of the conflict. One child explained, “All I thought about was what about my family and what about my friends; what was happening to Israel, if they [the terrorists] reached all of Israel, if they destroyed Israel, if they took over there.”


Coping and Survival: Bonds of Resilience


Despite the constant fear and despair, the children found ways to cope with their trauma. Many formed strong bonds with fellow captives, leaning on each other for support. The emotional connections they made became lifelines, helping them survive the darkest moments. Children who were held with siblings described how they supported one another, crying together when they needed to, and helping each other when it was too hard to carry on alone.


In addition to relying on each other, some children turned to creativity and routine to maintain a sense of normalcy. Whether through writing, drawing, or even inventing games, these small acts of imagination allowed them to mentally escape their dire circumstances, if only for brief moments.


Relationships with Captors: Survival Strategies


The children's relationships with their captors were complex and often contradictory. Some children sought to adapt by trying to engage their captors in conversation or even laughter, believing that building a bond might improve their chances of survival. This coping mechanism allowed them to navigate the constant threat of violence and fear.


Others resisted, using small but meaningful acts of defiance to maintain their sense of identity. Refusing to comply with certain demands—such as removing personal jewelry or wearing clothing they didn’t want to—became a way to assert control in an environment where they had very little power. These small gestures provided a psychological anchor for maintaining their self-worth.


Hope: The Final Anchor in the Darkness


Hope played a critical role in these children's survival. Despite their captors’ attempts to break their spirits, the children clung to the belief that they would one day return home. Hope became a guiding force, allowing them to endure their captivity. Many children kept this hope alive through rituals, mantras, and dreams of reuniting with their families.


Some children developed personal mantras, repeating them throughout their ordeal as a way of staying emotionally strong. This simple but powerful tool helped them resist despair. Others held onto dreams of the future—imagining reunions, family gatherings, and a return to normalcy—that kept them going despite the uncertainty of their situation.


The Strength of the Human Spirit


The children abducted on October 7th endured unimaginable trauma, yet their stories are also ones of survival, resilience, and hope. Through the bonds they formed, their creativity, and their steadfast belief in a better future, they managed to survive the harshest of circumstances.


These children’s experiences provide profound insights into the emotional and psychological resilience of young minds under extreme stress. Their ability to hold onto hope, even when faced with overwhelming fear and despair, serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit. These stories remind us that even in the darkest of times, hope truly dies last.


As we reflect on these accounts, we all await the safe return of the Bibas children, still held captive, hoping that their strength and resilience will carry them through until they can be reunited with their family and community.

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