Residents of Kibbutz Holit, just 2.6 kilometers from the Gaza border, woke on the morning of October 7 to a barrage of missiles and sirens. Avital Alajem, a kibbutz resident, went into her home’s protected space but very soon afterward, started to hear shooting and shouting in Arabic.

Avital quickly realized that the worst possible scenario was playing out: terrorists had penetrated the kibbutz. Stressed residents maintained WhatsApp contact to stay updated and Avital, who was on her own, was joined by another resident, simply to be together while terror raged outside.

The whole time, Avital’s next-door neighbor, Adi Kaploun, was in her home with her two children, Negev, aged 4, and Eshel, a 15-week-old baby. Avital and Adi maintained contact until 11 am, when Adi sent her final message and no longer responded to Avital.

Seven hours after the attack began, terrorists reached Avital’s house. Avital and her neighbor hid in a closet in the safe room but the terrorists blew the door open and murdered Avital’s neighbor. They pulled Avital out of the closet and suddenly brought Adi’s children Negev and Eshel into Avital’s home. The three of them were moved from house to house while terrorists continued their horrific acts until they decided to head back to Gaza, forcing Avital and the children to come with them.

Walking along, Avital was horrified at the carnage and destruction, the bloodshed, and her neighbors’ homes burnt to a cinder. Avital cared for the two youngsters and despite the extreme difficulty, she never lost her commonsense. Right before entering a settled area inside Gaza, the terrorists signaled to Avital, in what can only be described as a miracle, that she and the little ones were free to go.

Stunned, Avital overcame her exhaustion and made her way back to Israel, walking for hours, Eshel in one arm, and Negev, bearing a leg wound, in the other. The three of them were saved, but days later it was confirmed that Adi, their mother, had been cruelly murdered.

Watch Avital speak with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on October 10 about her harrowing experience

So many kibbutzes near the Gaza border were hit hard on October 7, with residents killed, injured and kidnapped, and homes and structures severely damaged and burned. The Jewish Agency’s Fund for Victims of Terror (FVOT), often the first responder for families and individuals impacted by terror, has been distributing immediate grants within 24-48 hours of a direct attack, offering support for short-term needs and helping with long-term rehabilitation and post-trauma care.

The Fund is made possible by the generosity of the Jewish Federations of North America / United Israel Appeal, Keren Hayesod, foundations and donors worldwide and people like you. Our aid is critical for victims’ immediate well-being and long-term recovery and we are currently operating and supporting more victims on a wider scale than ever before. To support the Fund, donate here.