Eyewitness Account: 15-Year-Old Ella Shani Recounts Hamas October 7th Attack

The October 7th Attack

• 🎯 Ella Shani, a 15-year-old, shares her firsthand account of the unprovoked Hamas attack on October 7th, emphasizing that there was no justification for the violence.
• 🚀 She highlights that the attack occurred despite a ceasefire in place on October 6th, with terrorists raiding kibbutzim and a music festival with the intent to murder and kidnap.

Experience in the Safe Room

• 🏠 Ella describes waking up to what she initially thought was thunder, only to learn of rocket alarms and the need to reach their home's safe room.
• ⚠️ Messages about a suspected terrorist invasion began, escalating from minor past incidents to a serious threat as gunshots and grenades were heard.
• 💬 Teenagers in a kibbutz WhatsApp group shared terrifying updates of terrorists entering their homes, shooting, and setting fires, initially perceived by some as a prank due to the unimaginable horror.

Personal Losses and Survival

• 💔 Ella recounts receiving texts about her uncle's house being set on fire and later learning her grandma was shot multiple times, surviving after hours of bleeding without immediate medical attention.
• 🆘 Contact was lost with her cousin Amit and his family after he repeatedly shared his address in the WhatsApp group, seeking help.
• 🤝 Soldiers from the IDF's OET unit eventually arrived, and after initial disbelief due to fear, they were safely evacuated from the house.

Devastation and Aftermath

• 🌫️ Upon exiting the house, Ella describes the overwhelming smell of blood, sweat, and smoke, with houses in flames and a scene resembling a war zone.
• 🩸 The evacuation process revealed graphic scenes, including bodies and organs scattered in the living room, prompting Ella to shield her younger brother's eyes.
• 🚶‍♀️ Survivors, many in pajamas and unprepared footwear, were led out of the kibbutz, witnessing widespread destruction, bodies of soldiers, terrorists, and civilians, including those from the Nova festival.

Witnessing Trauma

• 😨 Ella recounts meeting an 8-year-old boy who, in shock, described witnessing the killing of his father and 10-month-old sister, the youngest victim of the attack.
• 🕊️ She hopes the film "The Children of October 7th" will help people understand that Israelis are not villains and that the events were experienced by innocent people, including children.
• 🆘 Ella emphasizes the urgent need for the release of all hostages, highlighting that kidnapping, rape, torture, and killing innocent people are war crimes and should never be part of any conflict.