Yoni’s Story – Victims of Terror

On October 7, Hamas terrorists infiltrated Pri Gan, attacking homes with grenades, RPGs, and gunfire. Yoni, a retired police officer, fought back to protect his family.

Yoni and his son engaged in a desperate firefight while shielding their family in a safe room, reciting “Shema Yisrael” between each attack.

Despite overwhelming force, the terrorists suddenly abandoned their mission, leaving behind weapons and equipment—an event Yoni describes as divine intervention.

With the help of Keren Hayesod-UIA’s Communities2Gether initiative, Pri Gan is rebuilding, ensuring that displaced families can return and reclaim their home.

Yoni shares his story and how UIA’s Communities2Gether is supporting his family and community in Moshav Pri Gan

The story of terror inside the Pri Gan community

On October 7, 2023, the residents of Moshav Pri Gan, a small agricultural community 4km from the Gaza border, awoke to a previously unimaginable nightmare. Yoni, a retired police officer, had lived in Pri Gan for over a decade with his wife and four children. That morning, as rockets filled the sky, he instinctively knew something was different. The Iron Dome, usually firing in a measured rhythm, was now operating at a relentless pace. Then came the gunfire.

Yoni and his son, Yuval, quickly realised they were not hearing IDF forces. The sound was chaotic, the gunfire erratic. It was Hamas terrorists. Within moments, Yoni sprang into action. He secured his family in the safe room, grabbed his weapon, and prepared to defend his home and community.

A lifetime of instincts kicking in

As the terrorists advanced, Yoni’s home became a battlefield. The attackers threw grenades, fired bullets through windows, and used explosives to breach doors. Amidst the chaos, they shouted, “Raise your hands!”—claiming to be the police. But Yoni, a former officer himself, knew better.

Inside the safe room, his family clung to one another in silence, whispering “Shema Yisrael” with each round of gunfire. Yoni and his son took turns firing at the terrorists, determined to keep them from entering. At one point, the attackers attempted to widen a gap in the window’s metal shutters. Yoni shot at their hands, wounding one, and forcing them back.

For three hours, Yoni fought—until the terrorists suddenly abandoned their mission. In an inexplicable turn of events, they removed their shoes, prayed, and fled, leaving behind RPGs, grenades, and ammunition.

Miracle or Mystery?

To this day, Yoni does not know why the terrorists left. Some believe Israeli forces approaching from the air scared them off. Others speculate they heard what other terrorists were doing at Nova and left to join them. But for Yoni, the answer is clear: divine intervention.

“There is no explanation for what happened here except that miracles were performed,” he reflects. “The fire didn’t light. The explosives didn’t detonate. And my family survived.”

Pri Gan and neighbouring Shlomit a model for communities supporting each other

The story of the neighbouring community in Shlomit also became inextricably tied to the survival of Pri Gan when Rabbi Shatz and a team of fighters from Shlomit made a fateful decision that would change the course of events.

Unlike standard protocol, staying to protect their own community of Shlomit, they instead rushed toward the besieged moshav of Pri Gan, knowing that without intervention, the residents stood no chance.

We recently shared the story of Dana Cohen’s husband, Aviad, and his fellow defenders who left their homes and families behind, willingly stepping into the line of fire. They engaged in fierce combat with the terrorists, preventing them from advancing further into the community.

Tragically, Aviad and other defenders from Shlomit paid the ultimate price, sacrificing their lives to protect their fellow Israelis. Their heroism ensured that not a single resident of Pri Gan was killed—a fact that Yoni describes as nothing short of a miracle. “Shlomit’s team didn’t have to come save us—but they did. Another miracle,” he reflects.

Rebuilding the Future

The attack on Pri Gan left deep scars. Though no residents were physically harmed, the trauma runs deep. Families were evacuated, homes were destroyed, and the sense of security was shattered.

With the support of Keren Hayesod-UIA and the Communities2Gether initiative, Pri Gan is on the path to recovery. The initiative focuses on rebuilding infrastructure, providing psychological support, and ensuring families feel safe enough to return.

“Not everyone is ready to come back,” Yoni acknowledges. “But we must. This is our home, our land. We need to stand strong for our children, for Israel, and for the Jewish people everywhere.”

Our instincts in the diaspora have also kicked in

The story of Pri Gan is one of unimaginable horror, unwavering resilience, and the power of unity. With continued support from the global Jewish community, towns like Pri Gan can rebuild—not just homes, but hope.

“The Jewish people have survived for 3,500 years,” Yoni says. “And we will continue to survive. But only if we stand together.”

Keren Hayesod-UIA is committed to helping communities like Pri Gan rise again. Please donate to support this vital work. Your generosity ensures that survivors can rebuild, and that no family faces this journey alone.

Learn more about UIA supported Communities2Gether and donate to Moshav Pri Gan’s recovery and rebuild: