Avraham Munder (Kibbutz Nir Oz)
In a joint operation by the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the Shin Be (Israel’s General Security Service – anti-terror) the remains of six Israelis who were killed in Gaza were recovered in Kahn Yunis and returned to Israel for burial. The victims were all kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas massacre and then murdered at some point during their captivity in Gaza.
The victims whose remains were recovered were Yoram Metzger, Avraham Munder, Nadav Popplewell, Alexander Danzig, Haim Perry and Yagev Buchshtav. Four of them were from Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the Israeli towns overrun and devastated during the October 7 massacre.
Their remains were returned to Israel where they were identified using advanced techniques by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police, after which their families were notified.
Will you offer us a hand? Every gift, regardless of size, fuels our future.
Your critical contribution enables us to maintain our independence from shareholders or wealthy owners, allowing us to keep up reporting without bias. It means we can continue to make Jewish Business News available to everyone.
You can support us for as little as $1 via PayPal at office@jewishbusinessnews.com.
Thank you.
The IDF said that together with the Shin Bet continue it continues to “exercise all operational and intelligence efforts, in order to realize the supreme national mission of returning all abductees and abductees.”
Kibbutz Nir Oz released statements about their members whose bodies were recovered.
Born in Poland, Alex Danzig was 75 years old, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, the father of four children, grandfather of 12 granddaughters and a grandson. The kibbutz said he dedicated his life’s work to studying and teaching about the Holocaust and the relationship between Jews and Poles, and at the same time he worked for many years cultivating the fields “he loved so much. In this way, Alex formed a bridge between different worlds: between the spirit and the book and the earth and the fields, between Israel and Poland, between the Holocaust and its resurrection.”
“Bringing Alex for burial is another step in Kibbutz Nir Oz’s path to rehabilitation after the great disaster, a rehabilitation that cannot be complete without returning all the abducted to their homes and the murdered to a suitable burial in the land they dedicated their lives to,” said the kibbutz. “The State of Israel has the duty to return everyone home, as soon as possible.”
Haim Perry was 80 years old, father of five children and grandfather of 13 grandchildren, an entrepreneur, humanist, peace activist, and founder of the “White House Gallery.” On the day of the October 7 massacre at the kibbutz, Haim managed to save his wife Asnat before being kidnapped himself. He survived in inhumane conditions in the Hamas tunnels for months, until he was brutally murdered in captivity.
“The return of Haim’s body is a painful reminder of the fact that our struggle for the release of all our loved ones and a return to normality is not yet over, and it is extremely important because time does not play in favor of the abductees!” said the kibbutz. “We will continue to act with all our strength until all our loved ones return home. The living for restoration and the murdered for burial.”
Yoram Metzger was 80 years old, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who worked at the Nirlat factory and in recent years at the garage. He was the father of three sons and grandfather of seven grandchildren. His wife, Tamar (Tami) Metzger, was also kidnapped to Gaza on October 7 and later released.
“Yoram will be remembered in all of our hearts as a pleasant and smiling man, who always made everyone feel immediately at home,” said Kibbutz Nir Oz. “The return of his body is the greatest proof of all the importance of a deal that will return our sons and daughters as soon as possible, before it is too late.”
“The Metzger family hopes that no soldier was harmed during the military operation. Returning the bodies of our dear ones is important, but not at the cost of harm or injury to our good sons who defend the State of Israel.”
Alexander Danzig (Kibbutz Nir Oz)
Avraham Munder was 79 years old, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, who worked in the factory and “was a warm man and really loved singing.”
Avraham was kidnapped along with his wife Ruti, his daughter Keren, and his only grandson Ohad, who were released in the November hostage exchange.
“We will always remember Munder, with his clear voice, warm smile and endless love for his family and the Kibbutz.”
