As Israel prepares to mark the somber one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks, over 100 hostages remain trapped in Gaza. This includes several Americans, a grim reminder of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Among those hostages is 36-year-old Sige Dehan, the only one with young children who anxiously await his return.
Avital with her three children, including baby Shahar who was born after Sige was kidnapped
NBC News correspondent, Raf Sanchez, recently met with Avital, Sige’s wife, in Kirat Shima, Israel, close to the Lebanese border. Avital shared her heartbreaking story, revealing the profound impact the ordeal has had on her family.
For 364 days, Avital and her daughters have lived with an agonizing void. Seven-year-old Bar persistently asks her mother why her father hasn’t come back, questions that pierce Avital’s heart. She finds solace in remaining strong for her daughters, clinging to the hope that Sige will return.
Sige, a devoted husband and father, was raised between Israel and Boston. A talented baseball player, he had played center field for Israel’s Junior national team. He and Avital, high school sweethearts, built a loving home for their children in Nir Oz, a kibbutz situated just two miles from Gaza. Tragically, it was one of the first communities overtaken by Hamas during the October 7th attacks.
Sige and Avital Dehan in an undated photo
As Hamas terrorists stormed through Nir Oz, Sige, driven by a sense of duty, went out to defend his kibbutz. It was the last time Avital would see him. For the next ten grueling hours, she took refuge in a safe room with her daughters, desperately hoping for their safety. Avital, heavily pregnant at the time, shielded her children from the terrifying reality unfolding around them.
Their harrowing escape, captured on video by young Bar, showcased her bravery amidst unimaginable circumstances. Despite being heavily pregnant, Avital displayed remarkable strength, focusing on her daughters’ well-being. The family was eventually rescued, but the trauma of that day continues to cast a long shadow.
In December, Avital gave birth to their third child, Shahar, whose name, aptly meaning “Dawn” in Hebrew, symbolizes a beacon of light amidst darkness. Now ten months old, Shahar has yet to meet her father, her existence a testament to hope and resilience.
While Sige remains unaware of his family’s survival, Avital faithfully sends him text messages, updating him about their children. Knowing he cannot read them, her actions are driven by an unwavering belief in his return and a profound need to maintain their connection.
Jonathan, Sige’s father, has been a source of immense strength for Avital and her granddaughters. Tirelessly advocating for his son’s release, he has made multiple trips to the White House, engaging with leaders on both sides of the aisle, urging them to prioritize the hostage crisis. Jonathan’s plea to avoid politicizing the hostage issue highlights the urgency of their situation.
Sige's parents, Ilana and Jonathan Dehan, hold a photo of Sige with his daughters
As the one-year mark of the October 7th attacks approaches, Avital and her family, along with the families of other hostages, are grappling with mounting anxiety. The escalating conflict and the stalled ceasefire negotiations have cast a dark cloud over their hopes for Sige’s swift return.
Avital’s unwavering belief in Sige’s survival, fueled by vivid dreams and a mother’s intuition, serves as a reminder of the enduring power of hope, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
