
Nurit Cooper
Freed October 23, 2023

Nurit Cooper's story is a somber reflection on the personal toll of the October 7 attacks near the Gaza border, particularly on the residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. At 79 years old, Cooper's 17-day ordeal in Gaza and her subsequent release have been a harrowing experience, compounded by the physical injuries she sustained during her violent abduction, including a fractured shoulder.
Since her return, Cooper has been slowly recuperating, surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren, in her daughter's home in the northern Negev. Her reluctance to publicly share her experiences speaks volumes about the trauma she endured. Yet, her concern extends beyond her own ordeal to the other hostages still held in Gaza, including her husband, Amiram Cooper, aged 84. Her call for the return of all hostages highlights the shared anguish of families still waiting for their loved ones.
Rotem Cooper, Nurit's son, provides insight into his mother's condition and her challenging recovery process. The abduction, described as extremely violent, involved both Nurit and her husband being forcibly taken from their home, an experience that left deep psychological scars. The couple, along with five other members from their kibbutz, were held in an underground room, isolated from any sense of time.