October 7 · Personal story
Tamar Metzger
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
The Metzgers’ home in Kibbutz Nir Oz
Current outcome
Released alive · November 28, 2023
Tamar was released alive on November 28, 2023. Her husband Yoram was killed in captivity; his remains were recovered from Gaza on August 20, 2024.
01
A family in Nir Oz
Tamar (Tami) Metzger was born in Tel Aviv and lived with Yoram in Kibbutz Nir Oz. They were parents of three and grandparents of seven. Yoram had worked for decades at the Nirlat factory and later in the kibbutz garage; relatives described him as a good cook, humorous and interested in history. Their family, including grandchildren on the kibbutz, stayed in touch during the morning of October 7. Tamar worked in education and the kibbutz store; her family also described her as an excellent cook and an avid reader.
02
Taken with Yoram
On October 7, 2023, Tamar and Yoram went into their protected room at home in Nir Oz as the attack reached the kibbutz. They were in contact with family that morning; at 8:50 a.m., they sent their last message, after which contact stopped. Their relatives later learned through phone tracking that both had been taken to Gaza. When released hostage Yocheved Lifshitz returned on October 23, she told the family she had seen Tamar and Yoram alive in Gaza. Tamar was 78; Yoram was 80.
03
Fifty-two days apart from home
Tamar remained captive in Gaza. She was released alive on November 28, 2023, during the first exchange. Her husband Yoram did not return with her. On June 3, 2024, the IDF announced that Yoram had been killed in captivity. Until that announcement, the family had been waiting for Yoram to come home; afterward, they continued to wait for Yoram’s remains.
04
Tamar returned alive
Tamar returned to Israel on November 28, 2023. The family had spent weeks without knowing whether she and Yoram were alive; Yocheved Lifshitz’s report from October had been their first confirmation that she had seen them in Gaza. Tamar’s release ended her captivity, while Yoram remained in Gaza. His body was recovered in a military operation on August 20, 2024, with the remains of three other Nir Oz residents.
05
A return marked by loss
Yoram’s remains were recovered on August 20, 2024, and returned to his family for burial. Tamar had been back in Israel for nearly nine months by then. The couple’s children and seven grandchildren had endured the uncertainty of two separate outcomes: Tamar’s release alive, and Yoram’s death in captivity followed by the return of his body. The Nir Oz community lists Tamar among its residents released from Gaza.