Amiram Cooper

Amiram is one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz and one of its pillars. His extended family perished in the Holocaust.
Apart from being a pioneer, farmer, and financial manager, he has been writing and composing songs for over sixty years and has published several poetry books. His songs typically revolve around nature and agriculture and have become an integral part of the Israeli folk song repertoire.
Amiram holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics, and has occasionally published opinion articles on economics, politics, and socialism. Amiram advocated for peace and believed in it.
On Saturday October 7, Kibbutz Nir Oz was heavily attacked; a quarter of its residents were kidnapped or murdered. In the morning hours, terrorists invaded the home of Amiram and his wife Nurit (80), shot at the door of the safe room, broke it, and brutally took Amiram and Nurit captives in Gaza. Nurit broke her left shoulder during the violent abduction.
On Monday 23 October, Nurit was one of two women released from captivity on ‘humanitarian’ grounds, together with Yocheved Lifshitz.
Amiram marked his 85th birthday in captivity. In publications made by Hamas he appears extremely thin and without his glasses. Amiram regularly requires medication, which he hasn't received since the attack on October 7th.
His wife Nurit, their three children, and nine grandchildren are anxiously worried and await his return home.

On June 3, 2024, the IDF confirmed the deaths of Amiram Cooper and three other hostages:,Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, and Nadav Popplewell. The announcement followed the gathering of new intelligence findings.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing that the military could not immediately confirm the circumstances of the deaths but would investigate fully. The IDF estimates that the four were killed together, in the Khan Younis area, several months ago, while being held by Hamas terrorists and during IDF operations in Khan Younis. All four hostages had previously been seen alive in propaganda videos filmed during their captivity in Gaza and released by Hamas.

Cooper, one of the founders of Nir Oz, was an economist who worked for many years as the chief economist of the Ma’on region settlements. He was also a poet and composer, with several published books of poetry, plays, and articles dealing with politics and economics. He is survived by his wife, Nurit, their three children, and nine grandchildren.
Amiram’s family, friends, and community are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.

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Amiram was kidnapped by Hamas, and his family later learned of his murder.
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