The Chilling Final Words from my Dad: 'They Found Us in the Safe Room'

Yulie Ben Ami, a resident of Beeri Kibbutz in southern Israel, emphasizes that the kibbutz is not just a physical place or a cooperative living arrangement. She describes the inhabitants of the kibbutz as an extended family, with a strong bond that remains intact despite recent circumstances. Following a devastating attack by Hamas militants last week, which resulted in the loss of at least 100 lives from the kibbutz, the residents have been forced to evacuate and are now scattered across the country.

Only a small percentage of Israel's population resides on kibbutzim, with Ben Ami being one of them. Growing up in Beeri with her family, she chose to remain there as did other relatives, all living in separate households in close proximity on the kibbutz.

On October 6, Beeri celebrated its 77th founding anniversary, but the next day it was targeted in an attack by Hamas militants. Being one of the first locations breached by gunmen on Saturday, the community suffered casualties and many individuals are currently reported missing. Among them, Ben Ami fears that her parents have been kidnapped and are being held captive in Gaza by the militants.

Members of the Beeri kibbutz, who managed to survive the attack, are currently dispersed throughout Israel, as revealed by Ben Ami. However, they continue to maintain their sense of community, supporting one another and holding onto the hope of reuniting with those who are also fortunate enough to survive. Ben Ami expressed her aspiration to eventually return to the community she holds dear. During her conversation with CNN Opinion editor Stephanie Griffith, she recounted the events of the previous Saturday and emphasized her unwavering love for her community, despite the indescribable tragedy they have endured.

Raz Ben Ami

Yuli Ben Ami

The following content has been edited and condensed for clarity, reflecting Ben Amis's views:

Ben Ami: My phone's alarm app woke me up at 6:20 in the morning. Shortly after, we received a notification stating that an intruder, a terrorist, had entered our kibbutz. Immediately, we had to secure the doors, switch off the lights, and maintain silence.

I began contacting my family members to check on their safety. I was at my house, while my sister, parents, aunt, and grandma were each at their own respective houses in the kibbutz. To ensure everyone was alright, we communicated through WhatsApp.

At 9:30, my mom messaged me about the terrorists attempting to enter their house. She mentioned their attempts to break down the door and shoot into the safe room, expressing her fear and confusion. Roughly 10 to 15 minutes later, both my mother and father informed us that the attackers had successfully entered the house and were causing destruction. Finally, at 10:06, my father sent a message stating, "They have reached the safe room. We have been captured."

Both my mother and father were apprehended. Shortly after, we stumbled upon a photograph on Telegram featuring my father and two unidentified individuals escorting him to an undisclosed location.

Unfortunately, my mother's whereabouts remain unknown as she was absent from the aforementioned picture. It appears likely that my parents, alongside other abducted individuals, are being held captive in Gaza. However, the exact location remains a mystery to us.

CNN: You think that your parents could both be hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Do you fear that your relatives could be harmed as Israel tries to free the hostages?

Ohad Ben Ami

Yuli Ben Ami

Ben Ami: I have complete trust in my army, as I firmly believe they are highly competent in their endeavors. With utmost certainty, I am confident that they will go to great lengths to ensure our safety. This conviction stems from their heroic act of rescuing my entire family, including myself, my boyfriend, sister, and other relatives. They tirelessly evacuated us from our homes and provided us with a secure environment. Consequently, I hold steadfast belief that they possess the necessary expertise to expedite the safe return of my parents.

Ben Ami: We sought refuge within the confines of our home, ensuring the doors were securely locked and remaining as silent as possible, with the lights switched off. However, it occurs to me that the reason why they spared my house might be attributed to its diminutive size, unlike the grandeur of my parents' residence.

It seems plausible that their intention was to target families, as they meticulously combed through every corner of the neighborhood occupied by my parents, where an overwhelming majority consisted of households with young children. Tragically, they inflicted the wrath of their destructive flames upon each and every one of those homes.

CNN: How did they gain access to the secure area within your parents' home?

Ben Ami: It's impossible to completely secure the door in a way that makes it unopenable from the outside. The most you can do is grasp the handle tightly. However, there comes a point where you can no longer maintain that grip. Additionally, in certain homes at the kibbutz, arson was committed, causing people to struggle to breathe. In some instances, the terrorists arrived with an array of tools, creating openings in the doors and tossing grenades inside.

CNN: The issues in this region have persisted for decades and passed on from generation to generation. What, in your opinion, is the root cause of this profound animosity?

Ben Ami: They hold steadfastly to a single belief, prioritizing it above all else. It seems as though their belief is of utmost importance, and they expect others to conform to their desires.

CNN: Share your experiences of kibbutz life and explain the reasons behind your family's decision to reside in one.

Ben Ami: In my opinion, it is the ideal living environment. The communal spirit and close-knit relationships fostered within a kibbutz make it truly exceptional. It provides a sense of security that is unparalleled. My feelings of safety were unwavering until last Saturday.

CNN: Have you been there your entire life?

Ben Ami: Yes, from the age of five.

CNN: Did your parents raise you on the kibbutz and then you later moved to a nearby home, still within the kibbutz? What is your current occupation on the kibbutz?

Ben Ami: I am currently a student, pursuing a degree in visual communication and design. At the moment, I am not employed. However, when I do work, I help out at the store, where I am familiar with everyone and they know me as well. Our community has various endeavors, including a printing business and extensive agriculture. We thrive as a tightly knit community.

CNN: How many people?

Ben Ami: Twelve hundred to 1,500.

CNN: Will you return to your kibbutz once this nightmare is over?

Ben Ami: Living on my kibbutz is the ultimate lifestyle for me. I have a deep affection for the place and the people. Although our feelings may be affected by the attack, I am determined to go back because of my genuine love for my kibbutz.

CNN: What kind of communication has there been between the members of the kibbutz since the attack?

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Ben Ami: We know that more than 100 people got killed. We dont know the number of people that are in Gaza. We dont know the location of the people that are missing.

We have a deep affection for one another and ensure each other's safety, making my community truly exceptional. Particularly in this current circumstance, I am overwhelmed by the assistance and support provided by everyone surrounding me.

CNN: What is your current place of residence?

CNN: Are you currently residing in a non-kibbutz household, staying with your extended family in northern Israel, while anxiously awaiting positive updates concerning your parents' well-being? We sincerely hope for the best and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

Ben Ami: No, we were saved by the army after waiting for hours. Can you describe the moment when they finally reached us and we were finally safe?

Ben Ami expressed a sense of immense relief as he and his family reunited with other members of the kibbutz and their extended family. He expressed gratitude towards the military for their efforts in ensuring their safety, considering the challenging security circumstances posed by armed terrorists in the kibbutz. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter now!

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CNN: How are you coping emotionally while waiting for news about your parents and navigating through the aftermath of the trauma?

Ben Ami: I believe I am still in the process of processing everything. Thankfully, my family is united, which provides some solace. However, we are grappling with a significant psychological burden resulting from the traumatic experience. We have access to professionals who lend a listening ear and support us in understanding our emotions.

CNN: The government has provided psychological counseling?

Ben Ami: Yes. Theyve provided everything we need. People gave us food, gave us clotheseverything we need, because everything stayed there.

CNN: Do you believe that there is a lack of understanding regarding the severity of the situation?

Ben Ami: It seems that whenever an incident occurs, the blame is often placed on us, but in reality, we are the ones who have suffered. The world must comprehend the atrocities committed by the gunmen against innocent children, mothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, and a hundred members of a single community.

CNN: Will Israel become stronger in the aftermath?

Ben Ami: Certainly, Israel will emerge stronger. However, we cannot overlook the fact that many individuals who were once part of our lives are no longer with us and will not return.