An Israeli couple valiantly defended their home against seven Hamas militants who threatened their children, ultimately sacrificing their own lives. The story of Adar and Itay Berdychivsky, residents of the Kfar Aza kibbutz, was shared by Oleh Vyshniakov, Israel’s consul in Ukraine’s Western Region, on his Facebook page.

Both Adar and Itay had served as officers in the Israeli army and kept weapons in their home. When the Hamas fighters approached their house, they acted courageously. They secured their 10-month-old twins in a reinforced security room known as a "mammad," a mandatory feature in all new Israeli buildings. After safeguarding their children, they returned to confront the militants in the main part of their home, diverting their attention away from the infants.

Tragically, Adar and Itay successfully neutralized seven militants but lost their own lives in the process. Their children remained hidden in the secure room for a harrowing 13 hours until their uncle and grandfather discovered them.

"They’re safe now, surrounded by love and care. Itay’s brother and Adar’s father, who heroically fought the militants for hours, saving many lives but, sadly, couldn’t reach their own family members in time," Vyshniakov stated.

Hamas militants had launched a substantial missile attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel, breaching Israel’s borders on the morning of October 7. By October 9, Israel announced it had regained control over its borders and border-adjacent regions near the Gaza Strip. The conflict has resulted in approximately 800 casualties in Israel, with another 2,500 citizens sustaining injuries.