American-Israeli child shares experience of having father combat Hamas and witnessing children being kidnapped

Israeli Family Struggles‌ at Home with Country Mobilized for War Against Hamas

Nine-year-old Emma Katzor couldn’t believe her eyes when she first laid eyes on the hostage posters featuring Israeli children. In a state of disbelief, she hurried back home to her mother, desperate to know if what she saw was real.

“I ‍asked​ my mom, is that even allowed?” Emma recounted to‌ The Daily Wire.‍ “Are they, like, really catching children? She said, yes, and I felt very, very scared.”

Emma’s mother, Elana Katzor, grew up in⁤ Massachusetts but made ‍the ⁣decision to raise her children in Israel. However, her husband, who serves in the Israeli Defense Forces, has ⁤been away since Hamas’ brutal attack on October 7. This has left Elana alone with her three young children, all ​while being pregnant.

Elana admits⁣ that‌ the war has completely disrupted her parenting philosophy,⁤ forcing her to carefully choose what information to share with her ​children.

“I don’t lie ⁢to my children — I am of ‌the belief that information doesn’t scare children, but the lack of information scares⁢ children,” Katzor said. “I didn’t mention the kidnappings ​because they didn’t ask me. And then all ⁤of a sudden the posters started showing up.”

Emma can’t help but imagine what it​ would be like if she were taken hostage herself, ‍and whether the children held by Hamas are ⁣being properly cared ⁣for.

“Do ​they have​ diapers, shampoo? ⁣Do they have clothes? Do they ‌have supplies? Do ⁤they‌ have ⁣a house?” she asked. ‍“It’s just very scary.”

Being‌ alone with her three young children has been incredibly challenging for Elana. She believes​ that the timing of Hamas rocket⁤ launches, often occurring ‌at seven, eight, and nine at night, is a form of⁢ psychological warfare against children.

“Our freedom of movement has been stressful,” she said. “I don’t drive anymore because I’m scared that I’m with three kids, I’m pregnant, there’s a ⁢siren, I have to ⁢pull over to the side of the road.⁣ I have to manage to‌ get three kids out of the car on a highway.”

“It also tends ⁤to happen⁣ in the evenings right before bedtime,”​ Elana said. “Bedtime is more scary and it’s their way of terrorizing us.”

Katzor has had to adjust her daily routine to accommodate the possibility of a rocket attack, even showering late at night when rockets are less likely to ⁤occur.

Despite her fear, Emma tries to remain calm for the sake ⁤of her younger sister.

“I say that ​it’s okay‌ and that⁣ we’re winning and ‍that we have a strong army and that​ we have a mother‌ here,” she said. “That’s to make her feel like everything is okay.”

Although Elana’s husband has been able to come ​home for short visits and make frequent video calls, Emma still struggles without ⁢her father around. At ​school, she writes letters with pictures for the soldiers.

“Dear soldiers, I hope you come back with peace and I hope there is not going to ⁣be hurt people, like people who broke⁤ their arm or their leg,” Emma ⁣said she wrote in one letter. “I just hope that you have a good Shabbat.”

How do Israeli families, like ⁣the Katzors, balance maintaining a sense of ⁢normalcy‌ for their children while remaining vigilant and ⁤prepared for potential threats during the ongoing conflict

Wondered aloud. “It’s just ​really scary to think about.”

The Katzor family is just one of many Israeli families⁢ struggling to cope⁢ with the ongoing conflict between Israel ⁤and ‌Hamas.⁣ As tensions escalate and the country mobilizes for war, families​ are forced to adapt to new and uncertain circumstances.

For ⁤parents like Elana Katzor, the challenge‌ of explaining the‍ situation to their children becomes even more difficult. Balancing honesty‍ with the need to ‍protect their innocence can be a delicate task.

However, psychologists argue that providing age-appropriate ⁤information can actually help children feel more secure⁢ during times of crisis. Dr. Rachel Coleman, a child psychologist, explains that ​children have a natural desire⁢ to make sense of ⁤their world.

“By ‍giving them accurate information, ‌we are empowering​ them and helping them to understand what ⁣is happening around them,” Dr. Coleman said. “It’s important ⁣to emphasize that they⁤ are safe and that there are people working ⁣to protect them.”

Despite the challenges, parents like Elana Katzor are trying their ​best⁣ to maintain a sense of normalcy for their children. They continue with their daily routines​ and ⁣hobbies, all while remaining vigilant and​ prepared for any ​potential threats.

While ‌the Katzor family understands ⁣the importance of staying⁢ informed, they also recognize the need to shield their⁢ children from unnecessary fear and anxiety. Elana‌ believes that focusing ‍on the positive aspects of their life, such as spending time with family and engaging in⁤ activities they enjoy, can help‌ alleviate some of the stress caused by the conflict.

However, the constant presence of ⁣war in everyday life cannot be ignored. The sounds of sirens⁣ wailing, the periodic ​rocket fire, and the pressure to seek shelter at a moment’s notice are all reminders of the harsh reality the Katzor family faces.

As the war against Hamas persists, Israeli families⁣ continue to grapple⁣ with the emotional​ toll it takes⁣ on their daily lives. ‍The⁣ uncertainty and​ fear that come ⁣with ⁢living in⁣ a war-torn country are challenges no family should⁤ have to endure. However, the resilience and determination of the Israeli people to protect their loved ones shines ‌through.

Israeli families, like ⁣the ⁤Katzors, remain hopeful ⁤for a peaceful resolution ‍to the conflict. They long for a day when ‌their children can grow⁣ up without⁢ the constant threat of violence hanging over ‌their heads. Until then, they will continue‌ to face the ⁤struggles at home, uniting as a family and finding strength in‍ one another.

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