Nirel Zini

Niv Raviv, 27 and Nirel Zini, 31, a young couple who were planning an engagement and life together, were murdered when Hamas terrorists stormed into Kfar Aza on October 7.

The couple, who met while they were in the army, had moved to the kibbutz earlier this year seeking a quiet, simple life. Raviv had been pursuing a master’s degree in psychology while Zini was hoping to study law.

Zini was wounded while serving in the West Bank on October 10, 2015. From then on, each year the couple would hold a day of thanksgiving on that day to celebrate his survival and rehabilitation, reported the Ynet news site.

This year, on October 10, Zini had been planning to propose, their family said. Raviv had wanted to get engaged on October 10 and married one year later, on October 10, 2024. Instead, they were both murdered just three days before the planned proposal. Their families waited a week before they received the news that their bodies had been found, and they were ultimately buried side by side in Netanya.

“They moved six months ago to live on Kibbutz Kfar Aza — they wanted to live on a kibbutz and live a simple life, they said it was paradise there,” said Shachar, Raviv’s sister-in-law. “They loved the kibbutz, the community, the people. They were so happy there… they were always active — they helped, volunteered, donated. They were such good people.”

Noam Zini, Nirel’s brother, vowed to tell his children about the legacy of his late aunt and uncle.

“I will remember you both forever, you are scratched into my heart — my heart that is shattered into pieces,” Noam wrote. “I don’t know how we go on from here, how do we pick up the pieces, how do we keep going as everything is normal when nothing will ever return to what it was.”

Noam added: “You were buried right next to each other, and that’s how you will stay forever! Niv, I will never forget your smile and your strength alongside Nirel — I know that you were everything to him, and I believe he did everything for you. We love you both endlessly, and we will never forget you.”
Source: The Times of Israel