Gideon Babani

Gideon Babani, 66, of Yehud, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 in Kibbutz Nirim.

His wife, Noralin Babadila Agojo, was taken hostage on the same day, and released on November 28.

In addition to Agojo, he is survived by four children, Eliya, Lior, Maor and Dana, a number of grandchildren and three siblings.

The couple were visiting their friends Thess and Doron Meyer at the kibbutz over the weekend when the Hamas onslaught began. Doron and his daughter Mor were also murdered, while Thess survived and Noralin was taken hostage.

Noralin managed to speak to her brother around 7 a.m. to tell him that they were shooting at them and she was afraid. That was the last contact with either of them. After 10 days, Babani’s body was identified and his death confirmed. He was buried on October 16 in Yehud.

Babani, a cab driver, was remembered as a social guy, calm and measured, who enjoyed spending time with his friends and family.

Agojo’s niece, Maria, wrote on Facebook about Babani: “We will miss your kindness, lively voice when you call our names, and your smile. Glad that we had the chance to meet and know you. We love you too, Abba Gideon! We share your family’s sorrow in this misfortune.”

His daughter, Eliya Tamam, wrote of the family’s loss on the 30-day anniversary of his death.

“We sit shiva in the middle of life, surrounding on all sides, people supporting and comforting, remembering you well — with your greying hair and smile of joy,” wrote Tamam on Facebook.

“Despite the trauma, despite the tragedy, there was a spirit of optimism at the shiva, just like you dad, and your optimistic spirit. We even smiled, laughed, remembered… now as we return to life, we will have to face the demans, the fears and the fact that we are not immune.”
Source: The Times of Israel