October 7 · Personal story
Oz Daniel
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
The “White House” IDF post between Nir Oz and Nirim; his tank was attacked near the Gaza border.
Current outcome
Returned for burial · November 2, 2025
His remains were returned from Gaza to Israel.
01
A guitarist from Beersheba to Kfar Saba
Oz was born in Beersheba and moved with his family to Kfar Saba in third grade. He liked drawing, Xbox and superhero films, especially the Marvel universe. He began guitar lessons in third grade, practiced for long stretches and focused his high-school studies on music. He played in several bands and dreamed of building a music career after military service. His family said he listened to many styles but returned most often to Guns N’ Roses.
02
Inside the tank crew
After high school, Oz enlisted in August 2022 and trained as a tank loader in the Armored Corps. On October 7, he was at the “White House” post with Captain Omer Neutra, Shaked Dahan and Nimrod Cohen. Their tank came under RPG fire and explosive attacks. Oz, Neutra and Dahan were killed; Cohen was abducted alive. Oz’s family said he tried to take a grenade from an attacker after the tank was hit. His body was taken to Gaza after his death.
03
The body held after his death
Oz’s family did not know his fate for several months. Israel Hayom reported the IDF declared him killed in action on February 25, 2024, based on new findings. His family held a symbolic funeral in Kfar Saba on February 26, burying his bloodied uniform and stretcher while his body remained in Gaza.
04
Return and second burial
Oz’s remains were returned from Gaza on November 2, 2025. After forensic examination, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed his identification. He was laid to rest in Kfar Saba on November 6, 2025, in a second burial after his family’s symbolic funeral.
05
His mother remembered kindness and music
Merav, Oz’s mother, recalled him as a person who treated people with respect and noticed classmates who felt unseen. She said he often checked on students who were struggling. At his 2025 funeral, she also repeated a conversation in which Oz told her he would resist being taken captive. Her words joined the story of his care for others with his tank crew’s final fight.