Devastating
Kibbutz Be’eri Mourns After the Return of Dror Or’s Body
Dror Or, killed by Hamas and taken hostage to Gaza, was returned by Hamas and the Palestinian islamic Jihad yesterday. With his return, two hostages remain in Hamas custody.
Kibbutz Be’eri is embracing the Or family during this painful moment, following the announcement of the return of the late Dror Or from Hamas captivity. For the first time since October 7, no Be’eri residents remain in Hamas hands.
Dror Or z”l was a devoted father to three children, Yahli (20), Noam (18), and Alma (15) and the loving partner of the late Yonat z”l. He was the son of Yuval and Dorit, and brother to Elad and Dana, who tirelessly worked for his release.
Dror worked as a cheesemaker and chef in the Be’eri dairy and was known for producing exceptional catering events. In recent years, he played a central role in developing and managing the dairy together with his colleagues Dagan Peleg and Yaakov Banakot.
He was described as a model family man, a loyal friend, calm and kind-hearted, with gentle humor and deep sensitivity to those around him. He loved good food, basketball, world travel, practiced yoga, and even taught it.
On October 7, terrorists who stormed the kibbutz reached the Or family home in the Keren neighborhood and set it ablaze. Dror and Yonat helped their children escape through the safe room window, saving their lives. The couple then split up in an attempt to flee; both were murdered, and Dror was taken hostage into Gaza. Noam and Alma, then 16 and 13, were also abducted and released after 50 days, exactly two years ago, on November 25, 2023.
Be’eri now closes a chapter of agonizing uncertainty, and mourns, together, a beloved member of the community.