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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released findings on Friday regarding the tragic deaths of Tomer Eliaz Arava and his mother, Dikla Arava, during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023.
The investigation concluded that both were likely killed by IDF gunfire after the family was caught in the violence of that day.
The investigation, presented to the grieving family on Thursday, provides new details on the chain of events that led to their deaths.
According to the IDF’s account, after Hamas militants broke into the Arava-Elyakim home and fired at the family while they were sheltering in a safe room, Tomer attempted to escape the house.
In the confusion of the attack, security forces at the kibbutz mistakenly identified Tomer as a potential threat, leading to him being shot by IDF soldiers.
Dikla’s death occurred shortly afterward when she was abducted by the terrorists, who took her in a car while fleeing toward the Gaza Strip.
The military investigation suggests that IDF forces opened fire on the vehicle, mistakenly believing it to be carrying the terrorists. Dikla was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene.
The investigation also sheds light on the traumatic experience of Dikla’s partner, Noam Elyakim, and his two daughters, Ella and Dafna, who were also in the vehicle.
After the terrorists took the family members, they transported them to Gaza, where Ella and Dafna were later released during the November 2023 ceasefire. Tragically, Dikla’s body was left behind in the car, and Noam was also abandoned at the scene.
The situation was further complicated when the terrorists stole Dikla’s phone, using it to broadcast a live video on Facebook.
The footage showed Tomer being coerced into calling residents of the kibbutz outside before managing to escape. However, this act of bravery led to his tragic death when he was mistakenly shot by security forces.
In the wake of the tragic loss, the IDF expressed condolences to the Arava-Eliaz-Elyakim family and the Nahal Oz community.
“On October 7th, the IDF failed in its mission,” a military statement read. “Nevertheless, Israeli security forces, reservists, rapid response teams, and civilians fought bravely throughout the Gaza Strip border area.”
In an interview last February, Dafna Elyakim, one of the abducted daughters, recounted her traumatic experience, recalling that she believed the shots fired at the car during her abduction were from terrorists.
“Some of the shots hit Dikla, and she died there on the spot,” Dafna shared at the time. The Nahal Oz community, devastated by the loss, also expressed its grief.
The kibbutz issued a statement expressing its sorrow and support for the Arava family, calling the investigation’s conclusions “unbearably difficult and heartbreaking.”
The community also pledged to respect the family’s request for privacy as they continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones.