“We Received Our Loved Ones in Bags”: The Journey of the Families of Fallen Hostages

Eighteen women, relatives of fallen hostages returned from Gaza, embarked on a therapeutic journey in the Romanian mountains. Edi Goldin and Mushit Manzur speak about the pain, the state's neglect, and the struggle to rebuild their lives. They criticize the lack of recognition as victims of hostilities and the attempt to forget October 7th.

Eighteen women, first-degree relatives of fallen hostages returned from Gaza, embarked on a therapeutic journey in the Romanian mountains, initiated by the '255' association and the Journey 4Hope association. The journey aimed to help them process their loss and return to breathing, accompanied by a professional team of ten women. Edi Goldin and Mushit Manzur, two of the participants, shared their feelings: Goldin spoke about her son who was killed in battle, about the initial burial of findings and later the recovery of his body, and about the daily struggle of living three and a half kilometers from the Strip. Manzur described the struggle to rebuild life after a period of internal and external battles. Both criticized the establishment's treatment of the families of fallen hostages, the lack of recognition as victims of hostilities, and the attempt to forget the events of October 7th. They emphasized the need for recognition and rehabilitation, and the important role of the people who mobilized to volunteer.