Hadas Kalderon’s life underwent a profound change when Hamas militants attacked her kibbutz on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of her mother and niece, and the abduction of three others, including her children Sahar, 16, and Erez, now 12, along with their father Ofer. This trio is among the 240 hostages taken during the unexpected raid in southern Israel.
Who is Hadas Kalderon?
Hadas Kalderon, born on December 10, 1975, in Ramat Ha-Sharon, Israel, is a renowned actress and producer. She is recognized for her notable roles in productions such as “Ha-Emet Ha’Eroma” (2008), “When Heroes Fly” (2018), and “Black Honey, the Life and Poetry of Avraham Sutskever” (2018).
As Israel intensifies its military responses in Gaza, civilians like Kalderon find themselves caught in the crossfire. “I’m just a mother. I’m not a soldier or a politician,” she expressed to NHK World.
Formerly residing in Nir Oz, a kibbutz targeted by Hamas, Kalderon was at home when she sensed that something was amiss, prompting her to seek refuge in a safe room. Recalling the horrifying morning of October 7, she said, “I woke up at 6:30 to a massive explosion. While we were accustomed to bombings, this time felt different. I entered my safe room, hearing gunfire, loud disturbances, people screaming, and speaking Arabic.”
Amid the chaos, a message on her phone confirmed that Hamas militants had infiltrated the kibbutz. A subsequent image revealed her mother, who also lived in the kibbutz, lying in a pool of blood.
Her immediate concern turned to her children and their father, who were in another house. Attempting to contact them, she learned that Hamas fighters had entered their residence. Fortunately, Ofer, Sahar, and Erez managed to escape through a window and were attempting to hide in the bushes.
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Later, an acquaintance informed her about a social media video showing Erez being kidnapped by the militants. The Israeli government subsequently officially notified her that the three had been taken as hostages, and tragically, her mother and niece had lost their lives.
