Yair Horn

Known for his sharp sense of humor, his big heart and infectious laughter, Yair Horn is deeply embedded in the life of Kibbutz Nir Oz. The Horn family is of Argentinean origin: Yair was the first to make Aliyah at the age of 21, setting the stage for the family's gradual immigration to Israel, supporting each other. The Horn family; mother Ruthi, father Itzik and brothers Yair, Eitan and Amos form a close-knit family, with the brothers being very attached to one another. Yair and Eitan are also devoted uncles to Gali and Ariel, often going all together to soccer games, playing “Just Dance” in the kibbutz pub with all the disco lights on.
Having moved to Nir Oz in 2014, Yair's contributions extend beyond his professional work in construction and renovations. He is the dynamo behind the kibbutz's social scene, organizing events for Jewish holidays, running the local pub, and sharing his talents as an amateur radio host and stand-up comedian. The song he wrote for the kibbutz Purim party last year, humorously depicting kibbutz life, has taken on a tragic note following the horrific events of October 7, when around a quarter of the kibbutz residents faced abduction or murder by Hamas terrorists.
On the weekend of Simchat Torah, Yair’s 37-year-old brother Eitan came to spend the holiday with him on the kibbutz. On Saturday October 7th, Hamas terrorists invaded Yair’s home and all contact with the brothers was lost. They went missing for 49 long days. It wasn’t until the first hostages were released, sharing their testimony, that the family got a sign of life from them; the brothers were kidnapped; although held separately, they are alive and mentally strong.

Itzik Horn, their father, has been vocal in international media, striving to maintain attention on their plight, emphasizing the strong familial ties that bind them, including their shared love for Hapoel Be’er Sheva soccer club. Yair and Eitan are die-hard fans of Hapoel Be'er Sheva; they make it a point to take their nephews to the team's games, creating a new generation of family fans for the club from the Negev's capital. Hapoel Be'er Sheva fans made a tribute for Yair and Eitan - their portraits were painted on the Sports Square walls.
Yair, known for his life-affirming humor and community engagement, and Eitan, recognized for his impactful work in non-formal education, were taken from their lives filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful connections. Their abduction is a stark reminder that the hostages could have been any one of us, making their fight our collective battle, compelling us all to advocate their safe return home.