Orphaned Oct. 7 teen survivor tells media of struggles to rebuild life

• Published date: 10 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Hamas terrorists killed his parents in their home in Holit while shielding their youngest child with their bodies

Rotem heard the men laughing as they shot his mother and father; he was injured by the bullets and spent more than seven hours hiding with their bodies.

Reminiscing, he says, "Other people's parents would read bedtime stories when we were little, but my dad took a guitar and sang until I fell asleep."

Rotem was one of 20 children orphaned on October 7; another 96 were left with only one parent.

He is now living with his aunt, uncle, and their two children.

A normal teenager

He's still a normal teenager studying for his exams, taking up new hobbies, and playing video games, although no shooters.

His dog Marko miraculously survived the attack, receiving what Rotem calls a "shrapnel haircut."

Rotem also expressed his frustration with the portrayal of his family's story in the media, telling the Guardian, "Nobody actually asked about who my parents were. They just want to know what happened."

"It's not like I'm gonna change [my account of] what happened. It's going to be the same thing every time."

The couple were peace activists and sent their children to a bilingual Hebrew-Arabic school; photos from...