The children of 7 October

The figures

38 children and teenagers killed, 42 abducted.

According to figures released in March 2024 by the Israel National Council for the Child, 38 children and teenagers were killed on 7 October, including three children under the age of three and four aged between three and six. Another 42 were abducted and taken to Gaza.

Twenty children were left without both parents and ninety-six lost their father or mother.

Kibbutz Nir Oz

Ariel and Kfir Bibas.

Ariel was four years old; Kfir was nine months old and the youngest of the hostages. On 7 October they were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz together with their mother Shiri. Their father Yarden was abducted separately and was released on 1 February 2025.

The bodies of Ariel and Kfir were returned on 20 February 2025. The body handed over as Shiri's belonged to another person; their mother's body was handed over on the evening of 21 February and identified the next day. According to the Israeli army and the forensic examination, the children were killed by their captors in November 2023.

Kfar Aza

Michael and Amalia Idan.

Michael and Amalia hid in a wardrobe for about twelve hours after their parents were killed, while their little sister Abigail was taken to Gaza. Their story is told on panel 1.