Ela Elyakim

Ela is a happy and funny girl, and a naturally gifted dancer. Even at such a young age, she knows what she wants. Ela is described by her mother, Maáyan Zin, as a sweet, intelligent girl who enjoys drawing, playing with dolls and loves animals. She is a third grader. Ela made a bracelet for her mother, which she wears all the time as a sign of hope and strength. 
Ela and her sister Dafna (14) were kidnapped together by Hamas terrorists from their home in kibbutz Nahal 0z on Saturday October 7.
 The terrorists who entered their home broadcasted the brutal attack on Facebook Live of one of the family members, recording the family sitting terrified in the corridor and forcing them to identify themselves.  Dafna and Ela saw their beloved father Noam being shot in the leg and bleeding profusely, and Tomer, a 17 year old boy, being taken by the terrorists before the two were kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
The terrorists murdered their father Noam and his partner, Dikla. Dikla’s son Tomer, only 17 years old, was used by the terrorists to lure their neighbors out of their homes, before they murdered him as well.
Later, two more videos, filmed by Hamas, showed the sisters sitting on mattresses wearing unfamiliar pajamas, with bandaged fingers on Ella's hands. Dafna and Ela stayed together and helped one another get through that nightmare of captivity in Gaza. They were, and still are, a source of strength and happiness for one another.
Dafna and Ela were released on 26.11.23 as part of a temporary ceasefire deal. After 51 long days, they ran into their loving mother’s arms.