After 759 days of unimaginable anguish, my son, Itay, has come home. But this return is not the joyous reunion we desperately prayed for. Itay was abducted on October 7th, and for over two years, bringing him back alive consumed every waking moment of my family’s existence.
We envisioned a different homecoming – hearing his voice, sharing laughter, and feeling his embrace. Instead, we prepare to bury him in the coming days, our hearts shattering anew with the finality of loss. Itay and his tank crew fought with extraordinary bravery, saving countless lives, but only Matan, one of their crew, survived his ordeal.
While Matan has thankfully returned to his family after two years in captivity, our hope for a similar miracle for Itay remained tragically unfulfilled. Receiving his body for burial in Israel is an agonizing mercy. For as long as he remained in Gaza, we were suspended in a state of perpetual, unbearable waiting, unable to grieve or begin to heal.
I am profoundly grateful for the unwavering commitment of the U.S. administration in securing the release of the hostages. Their leadership and determination prevented indefinite waiting and ensured we could finally begin to mourn. Without their intervention, we would have been left with only unanswered questions and endless pain.
Yet, even in our grief, we cannot forget the six families still desperately awaiting the return of their loved ones. Their nightmare continues, and for them, the war is far from over. Our fight for their freedom, for the freedom of all hostages, is not complete.
The horrific losses of October 7th, compounded by the devastating toll of the war, have irrevocably shattered so many lives. From this profound tragedy, however, we must forge a stronger future. I pray that Itay’s ultimate sacrifice, and the sacrifices of all those lost, will inspire unity and healing within Israel.
This is a pivotal moment for our nation. Israel cannot simply revert to the divisions and political maneuvering of the past. We must rebuild not only our infrastructure but also our collective spirit, fostering a sense of togetherness where unity is our greatest strength.
We owe it to those we have lost to rebuild in their memory, striving to end the cycle of violence and create a better future for all our children. Israel stands at a crossroads, tested by unimaginable grief, and the future hinges on the emergence of courageous, unifying leadership.
As I lay my son to rest, I choose to believe that his sacrifice, and the sacrifices of so many others, will pave the way for a truly united Israel. An Israel where we stand together, facing tragedy with resilience, striving for a better country and a better region, and vowing to never leave anyone behind again.
