Noga Weiss

Noga lives in Kibbutz Be’eri with her mother Shiri (53), father Ilan (56) and sisters Meital and Ma’ayan. Noga just started her year of service (Shnat Sherut); she loves playing volleyball, mentoring children, and hanging out with her friends.
On Saturday October 7, during the murderous attack by Hamas terrorists on the communities in south Israel, Noga was at home with her parents. She was hiding under the bed in the sealed room when the terrorists broke in. She witnessed them capturing her mother, Shiri. Remaining hidden, Noga then called her sister, Meital, describing how the terrorists set their house on fire and her struggle to breathe. Meital advised Noga to flee through the window. Noga managed to escape and hid in the bushes until the terrorists found her and kidnapped her to Gaza.
Reflecting on their time in Gaza, Noga recalled a butterfly that seemed to accompany her and her mother throughout their ordeal. Later, she came to believe that it represented her father, Ilan, watching over them.
On 1 January 2024, the family received the devastating announcement that Ilan was murdered by Hamas terrorists and that his remains were taken into Gaza.
Shiri and Noga were released from Gaza on 25 November, after 50 days in Hamas captivity, as part of a temporary cease-fire agreement.