In southern Israel, there was a terrible event in a place called Kibbutz Nir Oz. Tamar Kedem-Siman Tov, her husband Johny, and their three little children were in their safe room. They believed the strong concrete walls would keep them safe from the danger outside.
Tamar sent a message on WhatsApp to her friends in Sydney, Australia, telling them that they were safe inside the shelter while their village was being attacked by missiles. The message said they were fine.
However, after an hour, Tamar stopped responding to messages, and her friends in Sydney were very worried. They tried to call and message her but couldn’t get through to her.
Sadly, the safe room was breached by Hamas militants, and the entire Tov family was killed during the attack. While we cannot independently confirm this news, it has been reported in Israeli media, and many people are sharing tributes on social media.
Tamar was not just a mom; she was also a leader in her community and worked to support women’s rights. She was even running for an important role in her local council.
Tamar’s friends remember her as a loving person who cared about others, especially those who were less fortunate. She believed in justice and fairness for everyone.
Tamar’s husband, Johny, worked as an operations manager and a wheat grower in their small farming town. They had two six-year-old daughters and a son.
The town they lived in, Nir Oz, is very close to the border with Gaza. Sadly, terrorists entered homes in their town during the attack.
Tamar’s friends in Sydney had also moved from southern Israel to Australia for work. They are part of a worldwide youth movement called Bnei Akiva.
They asked for support from Australians and said they are not just fighting in a conflict but for peace with their neighbors, the Palestinians, against terrorists who want to harm them.
The situation in Israel is very difficult, with people having only a few seconds to reach a shelter when the warning sirens sound. Families are being separated as many people are called to serve in the army.
It’s a heartbreaking time, but Tamar’s friends want people to know that they will keep fighting for peace and need support from others around the world.