Fearless Israeli Woman Turns Hostage Situation into 20-Hour Battle of Wits with Hamas Militants
In a remarkable display of courage and quick thinking, Rachel Edri, a 65-year-old Israeli woman, turned a terrifying hostage situation into a 20-hour test of wit and survival against a group of Hamas militants. Her extraordinary story has now propelled her to the status of a folk hero in Israel, embodying the resourcefulness and resilience of ordinary citizens caught up in the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The incident unfolded when Edri, after seeking refuge in a bomb shelter due to an air-raid siren, returned to her home in Ofakim to find Hamas fighters waiting for her in the living room. As gunfire echoed outside, Edri embarked on an unexpected encounter that would pit hospitality against brutality.
Remarkably, Edri managed to establish an unlikely rapport with the militants. One of them even remarked that she reminded him of his mother. Rather than succumbing to fear, Edri responded with empathy, offering her assistance and vowing to take care of them. She served them canned pineapple, tea, and her signature Moroccan cookies, engaging them in conversation, singing Arabic songs, and even accommodating their beverage preferences, including providing Coca Cola when they expressed a preference for it over Coke Zero.
Despite enduring a blow to the face from one of the gunmen, Edri displayed incredible composure and continued to soothe her captors with her acts of kindness. Astonishingly, after 17 hours, a rescue team aided by Edri’s son successfully freed her and her husband by surprising the militants and fatally neutralizing them.
Edri’s bravery and ingenuity have not gone unnoticed. President Joe Biden personally acknowledged her courage during his recent visit to Israel, where Edri was among a group of Israelis invited to meet with him. Her actions, serving snacks to the militants, have drawn comparisons to the archetypal Jewish mother figure, renowned for her abundant hospitality. Some have even likened Edri to the biblical character Yael, who defeated an enemy general using a similar method of offering sustenance before striking a lethal blow.
The attack on Ofakim and numerous other border communities by Hamas militants resulted in the tragic loss of at least 48 lives in Edri’s hometown alone. Amidst the chaos, it was the selfless bravery of citizens like Edri and her courageous neighbors who fought back that safeguarded lives when the police and army were unable to respond effectively.
Friends and family of Edri express little surprise at her remarkable ability to navigate the dangerous situation. Known for her generosity and warm hospitality, Edri had previously worked at a military base providing meals for soldiers. Growing up in a working-class family in Ofakim, she and her brother learned the valuable instincts and survival skills necessary to thrive in challenging circumstances.
Rachel Edri’s remarkable story serves as a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of everyday Israelis facing the horrors of war. Her actions not only saved her own life but also captured the imagination of a nation, making her an enduring symbol of bravery in the face of adversity.
