Adina Moshe

Adina Moshe, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, embodies resilience and love as a mother of four and grandmother to twelve. Adina, who had been a caregiver in the kibbutz and later worked in the kibbutz's supermarket, retired a decade ago. Her husband, Saeed, who was 75, was set to retire in six months, and the couple had so many plans ahead. Her life with Saeed was a testament to enduring affection and shared dreams of travels, tragically cut short in a brutal act that left a void of profound grief.
The couple's deep bond with their twelve grandchildren, highlighted by their oldest granddaughter, 25-year-old Anat Shoshani, showcases the strength and love they extended to their family. “They were deeply involved in our lives, advising on when and what to study. They were the family’s pillar of strength. We loved visiting them and spending holidays at their home in Nir Oz.” Known for their complementary personalities; Saeed, stable and calm, and Adina, lively and opinionated, they created a home filled with love, respect, and warmth, often hosting large Sabbath meals that brought together more than 20 family members in their cozy kibbutz home.
However, on October 7th, Adina's world was irrevocably altered when terrorists attacked their home, resulting in Saeed's death and her subsequent kidnapping to Gaza. Saeed courageously resisted the terrorists by holding the safe room’s door. In a tragic turn of events, they fired through the window, striking him multiple times. Despite collapsing, he continued to block the door, thwarting their entry. Adina quickly fashioned a tourniquet for him. Subsequently, she was forcibly taken outside, where she witnessed Saeed being fatally shot before her eyes.
Hamas terrorists kidnapped Adina on a motorcycle into Gaza. There, one of the boys on the street grabbed her glasses, leaving her in a problematic, vulnerable state. During her captivity, she was held in underground tunnels alongside other hostages. Taking care of them, cooking with extremely scarce resources, and communicating with the terrorists who held them, with the little Arabic she knew, Adina had no intention of giving up.
After 47 days in Hamas’s captivity, Adina was released as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement. Despite the physical and emotional scars, Adina's return home marked a bitter-sweet moment, burdened with guilt and deep concern for those left behind. On her way home, one last frightening experience awaited; her transit within Khan Younis, shadowed by the violence of the Gazans. Now, back in Israel, Adina's plea to the Israeli Prime Minister reflects her unwavering spirit and the profound longing for the return of all hostages, emphasizing the urgent need for action over retribution.
From Adina’s speech in February 2024: "I was there, I felt the fear, the pain, the anguish, but I was released. My dear friends, the boys and girls I raised (adult members of Nir Oz) are still there, and my heart aches with the fear that they may not have survived. I know they are not receiving the necessary medications and are being moved from place to place. Once again, I implore you, Mr. Netanyahu, everything rests in your hands. You possess the power to act, to bring them home, to ensure their safety. I come from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where we have steadfastly defended our borders for many years. Even in the face of heavy barrages, we refused to abandon our home because of our deep love for our country. But now, I long for the return of the moral integrity of my nation. Until the hostages are safely returned my heart is still there, I cannot begin to heal. Please, bring them back home."