October 7 · Personal story
Sahar Baruch
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
His mother’s home in Kibbutz Be’eri
Current outcome
Returned for burial · October 30, 2025
His remains were identified and returned to Israel for burial.
01
Life before October 7
Sahar Baruch was born to Tammi and Roni in Be’eri on 25 November 1998, shortly after his family returned to the kibbutz from a year in northern Israel. He grew up with older brother Guy and younger brothers Idan and Niv. His family remembers a curious, quiet child who enjoyed judo, cycling and music; he played organ and trumpet and spent years in a kayaking group with Guy and Idan. At school he excelled in science subjects and loved chess, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic cards and fantasy books, which he read aloud to his younger brothers. He competed in chess and won. Before military service, he donated his long hair. He joined the Navy as an engine specialist on a missile boat, where friends relied on his knowledge and preparation. After service he worked with school-age children in Be’eri and later at its print shop. He hiked the Israel National Trail, then traveled in South America and played online chess with Idan back home. He returned to begin electrical and computer engineering studies at Ben-Gurion University, scheduled to start on 20 October 2023.
02
Abduction
On 7 October 2023, Sahar and Idan were at their mother’s home in Be’eri. Grenades thrown into the house wounded both brothers; Sahar treated Idan and sent photographs of his injuries to their mother, a nurse, for guidance. The brothers blocked the safe-room door with a cabinet. When attackers set the house on fire and smoke entered, they climbed out through the window to hide nearby. Sahar delayed to bring Idan’s inhaler. They became separated: Idan was killed near the house, and attackers later captured Sahar and took him to Gaza.
03
Captivity
Sahar turned 25 while held in Gaza. His community memorial records his death on 8 December 2023. Be’eri announced the following day that he had been killed in captivity. On 3 January 2024, the IDF said he had died during an attempted rescue. For his family, the news followed weeks in which he had first been missing and then confirmed alive in Gaza.
04
Return
Sahar’s remains were transferred from Gaza to Israel on 30 October 2025 and identified by forensic authorities. They were returned for burial after more than two years away from Be’eri.
05
Aftermath
Sahar was buried in Be’eri on 2 November 2025 beside Idan, the brother he had tried to help on the morning of the attack. Ben-Gurion University announced his funeral and remembered the young man who had been due to begin an engineering degree there. His community memorial preserves his interests, the work he did in the kibbutz and the close ties he shared with his brothers.