Gadi Moses’ Release Highlights Israel’s Resilient Kibbutz Spirit

Amid the chaotic hostage release on Thursday, one image stood out to Israelis: Gadi Moses, 80, walking upright among masked Hamas gunmen, displaying what seemed to be the faintest of smiles. To many, it was more than a moment of relief it was a symbol of resilience and the indomitable Israeli spirit.

A resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, Moses was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attack. Before his captivity, he was a potato farmer, embodying the classic kibbutznik ethos a life of hard work, communal values, and dedication to Israel’s pioneering spirit.

Israelis quickly took to social media, celebrating Moses’ return as a testament to the toughness and perseverance of kibbutzniks.

"He’s the salt of the earth, a classic kibbutznik," wrote one Israeli on X.

"Wow, Gadi Moses, 80-year-old kibbutznik, made of humanity’s toughest stuff," former lawmaker Ram Shefa posted on Facebook.

"We have Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old alpha male, a strong kibbutznik," another Israeli added.

Moses’ heroism began long before his release. He reportedly tried negotiating with terrorists to save his family. His longtime partner, Efrat Katz, was tragically murdered, while her daughter and two grandchildren were taken hostage before being freed in the November 2023 ceasefire.

The Israeli government released footage of Moses reuniting with his three children, where his composed demeanor gave way to tears and embraces as he learned for the first time of Katz’s death.

But before grief set in, the kibbutznik spirit was still present. Sitting on a couch, moments before seeing his family, Moses hoarsely declared, “I will do everything I can to rehabilitate Nir Oz.”

Moses now joins a growing list of hostages whose stories have become symbols of Israeli resilience. From Mia Schem’s “We will dance again” tattoo to Agam Berger braiding her fellow captives’ hair before their release, each moment of survival serves as a rallying cry for Israel’s unity.

Despite his 16 months in captivity, Moses returns not just as a survivor but as a hero who represents the strength of an entire nation.

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