October 7 · Personal story
Yair Yaakov
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Kibbutz Nir Oz
Current outcome
Returned for burial · June 12, 2025
His body was recovered from Khan Younis on June 12, 2025, and buried in Nir Oz on June 20.
01
Life before
Yair “Yaya” Yaakov was born in Ofakim in 1964 to a Karaite Jewish family that had immigrated from Egypt. The oldest of four siblings, he chose at fourteen to study at Mikve Israel. He later served in Nahal Magen and moved to Nir Oz in 1995, where he raised three children with Renana. He worked first in agriculture and irrigation, later managing farms, and then as a mechanic at Kibbutz Alumim. Coworkers remembered his Turkish coffee at the start of the workday. After his marriage ended, he built a life with Meirav Tal, his partner for eight years. They loved watching sunsets and imagined traveling in a large RV after retirement.
02
October 7
On October 7, 2023, attackers entered Yair and Meirav’s home in Nir Oz. The community account says Yair left when he heard calls for help, then ran back inside as attackers followed him. He held the safe-room door despite gunfire; a shot severely injured an artery in his leg, and an explosive charge blew the door open. Yair and Meirav played dead, but were forced outside and separated. A video recorded by attackers and sent to Meirav’s daughter Tomer two days later showed Yair standing. Meirav was abducted alive. His sons Or and Yagil, children of Yair and Renana, were taken from Renana’s home; his daughter Shir, their eldest, survived in her own apartment. The community says Yair was killed outside, probably while trying to escape. His body was taken to Gaza after death.
03
Captivity
Yair was not held alive in Gaza. His body was taken there after he was killed on October 7, and later reports described it as being held hostage. His partner Meirav and sons Or and Yagil were abducted alive and released in November 2023. His daughter Shir escaped the attack. Yair’s family waited for his body to be returned and buried.
04
Return
The Times of Israel reported that Israeli authorities confirmed Yair’s death in February 2024. The June 20 burial report says his body was recovered from Khan Younis on June 12, 2025. His family buried him in Nir Oz on June 20, 2025. At the funeral, they remembered his modesty, laughter and dream of traveling together after retirement.
05
Aftermath
At the funeral, Yair’s children, partner, siblings and former wife spoke. His son said beer, backgammon and a favorite song would bring his father to mind. Meirav remembered their sunsets and the dream of a long trip in a caravan. His son Yagil remembered their last evening together, October 6, as a good night of goodbyes.