Gadi Moshe Mozes

Gadi Mozes is one of the founding members of Kibbutz Nir Oz and a distinguished agronomist. He has lived in the kibbutz for over 60 years. Gadi is celebrated for his dedication as a father and grandfather, often spending quality time discussing a variety of subjects with his grandchildren. Known for his captivating, cheerful, and kind-hearted personality, Gadi is always the first to offer a hug and help. Gadi enjoys a good drink with a side of something sweet, especially chocolates or cookies.
Many of Southern Israel's farmers have thrived under his mentorship,
and he is regarded as an expert in his field both domestically and internationally. Alongside friends, he even planted a vineyard and established a winery for personal use within Nir Oz.
On the morning of Simchat Torah, October 7th, Gadi was at his home with his partner Efrat Katz, Efrat's daughter Doron Katz Asher (34), and her two daughters, two-year-old Aviv and four-year-old Raz.
That fateful day, the peace of his life was shattered when Hamas terrorists stormed his home. Despite Gadi's desperate attempts to negotiate with the terrorists, offering himself and his car in exchange for the safety of the women, he was kidnapped alongside others. Among the abducted were his partner’s daughter Doron, her little girls Aviv and Raz, and his ex-wife Margalit Berta Moses (77), who lives nearby in Nir Oz. His partner for many years, Efrat Katz, was tragically murdered during the abduction process and her body was later discovered in the fields of the kibbutz.

Gadi's extensive travels around the globe, teaching communities to adapt agriculture to their environment and helping them escape economic crises, reflect his giving nature and love for helping others. Known for his generous spirit and affectionate demeanor, Gadi's kidnapping after trying to protect his family highlights the depth of his character and the tragic circumstances that unfolded during the Hamas attack.
Aviv, Raz and Doron Katz Asher, together with Margalit Mozes, were released from Hamas captivity as part of a temporary cease-fire agreement on November 25th. Gadi, however, remains captive in Gaza, with his family anxiously awaiting his safe return.