Almog Meir Jan

​Almog from Or Yehuda is a cool guy, known for his light-hearted and fun-loving nature. “Everything is so easy-going with Elmog; he is usually happy, smiling, taking everything with humor and ease. An optimistic young man. He's a warm and loving person, charismatic, always drawing his friends and family along with him” his family shares.

Almog was recently discharged from his military service. If not for the attack and the horrors perpetrated by Hamas, he would have been set to start his dream job at a high-tech company immediately after the Sukkot holiday. He wanted to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter in his life with friends at the Nova music festival near Re'im. Outdoor parties were his favorite kind.

On Saturday 7th of October Hamas terrorists crossed the border from the Gaza Strip and striked the music festival, among other communities in southern Israel. The horrific attack on the Nova festival resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of attendees, and the abduction of 43 more, by Hamas terrorists.

The last contact with Almog was in the early morning, over the phone, expressing confusion and fear: "Mom, are you following the news? Turn on the TV, the party's over and they're shooting at us," Almog told his mother. He told her he loved her, promised to update her – and then the call was disconnected.

Later, he was observed escaping with friends in a vehicle, which came under fire, resulting in Almog’s capture and the murder of the others who were with him.

Around noon that day, Aviram Meir, Almog's uncle, identified him in a distressing video posted by Hamas, showing him among other frightened captives, bound and terrified, in a room somewhere in Gaza.
Orit, Almog’s mother, expressed her deep concern regarding the video: "The video and the elapsed time greatly disturb me, as we are yet to witness any agreement, which I find extremely difficult. My stomach is aching, my worry is escalating." She further elaborated, "Watching the video makes me ponder over my son's ordeal, the degradation he's facing, and his current living conditions. My anxiety is intensifying; each moment feels more agonizing."
Orit comments on the absence of a new agreement: "The agony is twisting in my gut far too often. It's incredibly difficult. Releasing the women and children was a correct step, I understand the situation; but my son is 21 years old, just started his life, and look where he is now. An effort must be made! The lack of a deal currently being negotiated is bewildering to me."
The Meir family receives widespread support as they share Almog's story and photographs, collaborating closely with other families who have loved ones kidnapped.
"I have a hole in my soul," says Orit, "Since that day, it's been hard to function, sleep, or eat. Now, I feel that Almog is my life's mission. I go from interview to interview, from conversation to conversation, from meeting with an ambassador to meeting with the foreign minister, doing everything I can, working tirelessly to bring him back home."