Noiya, a radiant sixteen-year-old, and her sprightly sister, Yahel, just thirteen, fill British parents’ hearts with sorrow and their eyes with tears, as they remain missing in the aftermath of a monstrous Hamas assault on Israel that took place last weekend. The girls hail from the serene settings of Kibbutz Be’eri, forever imprinted in their memories.
Affectionately loved, their mother Lianne, despite being born on the distant isles of the UK, fell victim to the calamitous 7 October barrage, as confirmed last Sunday. The family has chosen to keep the daughters’ surname shrouded in quiet secrecy.
Describing Lianne, her anguished British kin paint a picture of a cherished daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and companion whose love imbued life into the mundane. Her infectious personality and profound affection have significantly touched those fortunate enough to have been a part of her journey. Her untimely departure has left a void, causing heartrending anguish among those she bid goodbye.
Eli, the girls’ father, is currently untraceable.
A close family member, Sharon, shared with the BBC a glimpse of Noiya’s endlessly cheerful demeanor and her love for culinary arts. Yahel is fondly remembered as a lively spirit who finds joy in music, filling their surroundings with her singing and dancing. The hope of finding Lianne’s daughters alive remains a glimmer in their tear-streaked eyes.
Conversations about the deceased have proven to be a challenge, admits the grieving family member, emphasizing the strength required to hold the family together. Resolute, the family stands together in the face of adversity, harboring an undying hope to rebuild their shattered lives.
Simultaneously, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, confirmed on Monday that six of their fellow British citizens were amongst the casualties of this horrifying onslaught, with an additional ten still missing. In his address to the Members of Parliament and the anxious relatives of the disappeared, Mr. Sunak enumerated the difficulty of identifying the deceased due to the vicious nature of these assaults. As a clear note of exigency, he demanded the spontaneous liberation of the 199 hostages.
The missing Britons hold the potential of being amongst the deceased, added Mr. Sunak. Britain is currently collaborating with Israel to ascertain the facts and adequately support the bereaved families through this ordeal of immeasurable grief.
In a solemn report, eight flights have so far transported 500 British citizens back home from Israel, with the expectation of more departures on Monday.
Tragically, over 1,400 Israelis, predominantly civilians, lost their lives in the Hamas offensive, when armed militants permeated communities near the Gaza Strip during the early hours of 7 October. Concurrently, relentless air strikes by the Israeli military against Gaza culminated in more than 2,700 Palestinian casualties, and a relentless blockade thwarting the entry of essential commodities like food, water, and medical supplies.
