 and Aviv (2), were released as part of a hostage deal in November 2023){kind=link}
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Tel Aviv—Doron Katz-Asher, a former hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, has given birth to her third child, a daughter, marking a powerful symbol of resilience after surviving 49 days in captivity.
The birth comes less than a year after she and her two young daughters, Raz (4) and Aviv (2), were released as part of a hostage deal in November 2023.
Katz-Asher was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, while visiting family in Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel.
Her mother, Efrat Katz, was tragically killed during the assault, while other family members remained missing or were later discovered murdered.
In an emotional Instagram post announcing the birth, Katz-Asher wrote, “Bringing life into the world, a year after I almost lost my own, is the greatest gift we could ask for in the new year. My ray of light in the darkness.”
Her pregnancy was first announced in October 2024, nearly a year after her release. In an interview with Israeli news outlet Ynet, she revealed that she had hesitated about expanding her family after experiencing severe trauma.
“When I returned from there, I doubted whether I wanted another child,” she said. “Do I want to bring a child into a world like this or into a family with post-traumatic stress? After all, we’ve all been through an unimaginable experience here.”
Despite the emotional and physical toll of captivity—including weight loss, poor nutrition, and immense psychological stress—Katz-Asher saw the pregnancy as a miracle.
“I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t even get my period for months,” she admitted. “Everything together wasn’t in my favor. I was surprised, and it only made me feel like it was the right thing that had to happen.”
Her pregnancy, however, coincided with significant personal changes. In recent months, she and her husband, Yoni Asher, announced their separation. She revealed in the same Ynet interview that they had differing views about having another child before the war.
Despite these challenges, Katz-Asher’s family sees the birth as a poignant step toward healing. Her mother’s husband, Gadi Moses, was also among those kidnapped on October 7 and was released only after spending over a year in captivity.
Her brother, Ravid Katz, was killed defending Kibbutz Nir Oz, and his body was kidnapped before being recovered in July.
For her family, this newborn daughter represents a continuation of life in the face of tragedy. The baby’s arrival has been widely celebrated in Israel, resonating with many as a testament to survival and hope after immense suffering.
Katz-Asher’s journey from hostage to new mother has captivated the nation, with her story serving as a powerful reminder of resilience.
“This is one of the miracles that happened to me in the last year, alongside the difficult things,” she said. “No matter what comes next, I know it will bring good to my family after all we have endured.”