October 7 · Personal story
Shani Goren
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Current outcome
Released alive · November 30, 2023
Released alive after 55 days in captivity.
01
Life before October 7
Shani Goren was born and raised in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Friends and family called her by many affectionate nicknames. She worked in the kibbutz educational system and spent years as a youth counselor and instructor in the children’s home, where she came to know Eitan Yahalomi. Community members described her as energetic, joyful, and ready to host friends at home. Her sister Shira said Shani could calm a frightened child with a look and a few steady words. Her dog Casey was part of the life she left behind on October 7.
02
Taken from Nir Oz
During the attack on October 7, Shani was in the safe room that also served as her bedroom. She stayed in phone contact with friends and family for hours. While she was speaking with her sister-in-law, attackers broke into the room; a grenade thrown inside did not explode. They pulled Shani from her bed and took her from Nir Oz. Her dog Casey was taken too. Her sister Shira later described seeing the home overturned and realizing that Shani had been abducted.
03
Days in captivity
Shani was held in Gaza with other adults and children taken from Nir Oz. After Eitan Yahalomi spent his first 16 days alone, he was brought to the group where Shani was held. He recognized his former counselor. Shani shared some of her food with him and supported him during captivity. Her sister heard that Shani was caring for others and using the same calm words she had used with children at home. Shani’s fellow captives also helped her; the care moved in both directions.
04
Return home
Shani was released alive on November 30, 2023, after 55 days in captivity, on the final day of the first hostage deal. She returned to Israel and reunited with her family. Before her release, her sister Shira had spoken of children from Nir Oz who were waiting for their familiar counselor to come home. Shani’s own return brought relief, but many close friends remained in Gaza. In her June 2024 interview, she described how their continued absence made it difficult to begin ordinary life again.
05
Life after return
In an interview published on June 20, 2024, Shani described visiting Nir Oz two or three weeks after her release. She stayed for about five minutes and left with her legs trembling. She said she wanted to remain with her community, wherever it settled, but could not then imagine living again in the kibbutz where she had grown up. The Nir Oz community later described her recovery alongside her friends and her continued work for those who had remained captive after her own return.