Israeli Families Search for Loved Ones Through DNA and Prayers After Hamas Attack

   Following the unprecedented attack by the Hamas movement in Israel last Saturday, which resulted in hundreds of casualties and dozens missing, dozens of Israelis have embarked on a journey to locate their potentially abducted relatives. To aid in this effort, the Israeli police and civil defense have established a "Missing Persons Command Center" near Ben Gurion Airport.

Since Saturday evening, many Israelis have been trying to determine the whereabouts of their missing family members, who have been unaccounted for since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. The attack has led to the deaths of over 600 people in Israel since Hamas initiated its assault on Saturday. Hamas has also managed to hold more than 100 individuals captive, as reported by the Israeli government's media office on Sunday. These numbers were disseminated on their Facebook page.

The Israeli police and civil defense have announced the opening of the "Missing Persons Command Center" near Ben Gurion Airport. Volunteers are present to assist concerned families, engaging in brief interviews with social workers and police officers to provide details that may help identify their relatives, according to reporters from Agence France-Presse (AFP).

An AFP journalist observed dozens of individuals at the center. They were asked to provide items that could assist in identifying their relatives, such as used toothbrushes, razor blades, or soiled clothing, to be compared to the database of confirmed casualties.

Mori Streichovsky (42 years old) came to report her mother's disappearance, who resided in Kibbutz Be'eri near the Gaza Strip. She stated, "Yesterday was an extremely tough day in the kibbutz. I received a video showing that Hamas members had abducted her from her home along with her husband and two of their neighbors, taking them outside the kibbutz."

She continued, "We believe they are in Gaza," and added, "My cousin sent me the video and asked if I could identify her, and I said, 'It's her.' " She expressed her hope that they are treated well and return safely.

Some individuals at the center declined to speak to the press, appearing emotional and fatigued.

On Saturday evening, many Israelis turned to social media in an attempt to locate their relatives, urging everyone to reach out if they had any information.

Omeri Shitvi (30 years old) is searching for his brother, Eden after the Hamas attack targeted a music event in the desert near the Gaza border. He said over the phone, "I just want to hug him," and pointed out that the Israeli authorities have not contacted his family to provide information or offer assistance in finding his brother.

Yifat Zailer (37 years old) posted a plea for help on Facebook and shared a photo of her cousin, Shiri Beilis, who was "likely abducted" along with her two children (three years and nine months old) from Kibbutz Nir Oz. She said, "This is the only confirmation we have," referring to a video clip that circulated on social media showing them in Gaza.

She continued, "We have no idea what happened to her husband, Yarden," suggesting that he may have also been abducted, although he does not appear in the video. Tearfully, she expressed her hope "that they are treated well and return safely."

Adva Adar lost contact with her grandmother, Yaffa Adar (85 years old), in Kibbutz Nir Oz at 8 AM on Saturday. The Israeli army was unable to enter her home until 5 PM, and "its contents were destroyed and she wasn't there." Adva shared, "I can imagine how scared and uncomfortable she is. She's an 85-year-old without medication. We don't know where she is or if she has food or water."

Videos circulated on social media, which AFP could not verify, showing Yaffa with Hamas fighters.

The family claims that Israeli authorities have not reached out to them and learned about the abduction of the elderly woman from the mentioned video footage.

Adva commented, "We never imagined this, not even in our worst nightmares.