October 7 · Personal story
Clara Rose Marman
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Clara Marman’s home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak.
Current outcome
Released alive · November 28, 2023
Released with sister Gabriela and niece Mia after 53 days; her partner Luis and brother Fernando remained captive until their rescue in February 2024.
01
Thirty years in the kindergarten
Clara Marman immigrated to Israel from Argentina and built her life in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. She worked as a kindergarten teacher and, according to her daughter Maayan, cared for children across the kibbutz for 30 years; Maayan called her a teacher who had taught everyone. Her family included her daughter Maayan, her partner Luis Har, sister Gabriela, brother Fernando and niece Mia. The five gathered at Clara’s home during a family birthday visit.
02
Taken from her home
On October 7, Clara was at home in Nir Yitzhak with her partner and visiting relatives. The five relatives entered the safe room when alarms sounded and pushed objects against its door as they heard reports of attackers in the kibbutz. Clara later said she had grown used to rocket alerts and thought the family was protected. As gunfire and shouting reached the house, she urged her relatives to stay calm and do what the attackers said. They were forced out and taken toward Gaza; KAN places the abduction toward Gaza at 11:22 a.m.
03
Five relatives held together
The five relatives were led through tunnels for about two and a half hours before being taken to a house in Rafah. Clara later said the hardest part was the time that did not pass: waiting second after second, without action or choice. When releases began, the family had hoped they would leave together. They then learned that the women and children would be freed while the men stayed. Clara and Gabriela resisted the separation, but Luis and Fernando insisted that they go. They hugged and said they would meet again in three days, believing the releases would continue.
04
Release on November 28
Clara returned on November 28, 2023, with her sister Gabriela and niece Mia after 53 days in captivity. She received support and embraces in Israel, but said the return did not feel complete while Luis and Fernando remained in Gaza. On February 12, 2024, Israeli forces rescued the two men from Rafah. Associated Press reported that they were flown to hospital, where they shared long, tearful embraces with their relatives. All five family members abducted from Clara’s home had returned safely.
05
Home, and then the rest of the family
While Luis and Fernando were still captive, Clara underwent physical and psychological rehabilitation and joined her daughters’ campaign to bring them home. She said she wanted to build her strength so she could put everything into the struggle. Returning to ordinary routine was out of the question while her partner and brother remained in Gaza. She described feeling physically present in Israel while her heart was still captive. Their rescue in February 2024 finally brought the five relatives home.