The rescue on Sunday night of Fernando Marman and Luis Norbeto Har from Hamas captivity in Gaza closes the circle for Gabriela Leimberg, her daughter Mia, and Clara Marman, who were released from captivity in the previous prisoner exchange.
On the day of the Hamas attack on October 7, Clara Marman, 63, was kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, which is located near Gaza. Along with her, Gabriela Leimberg, brother Fernando, and daughter Mia were also kidnapped.On November 28, in the fifth round of the prisoner exchange, Gabriela, Mia, and Clara were released while Fernando and Luis remained in Hamas captivity. One of the memorable photos from their release from captivity was of 17-year-old Mia with her beloved dog, Bella.
"They managed to take care of her and gave her their food. It wasn't easy, but the concern for their dog kept them going," said Mayan Sigal-Koren, Gabriela's cousin, to Walla! News. "Initially, Hamas didn't realize it was a dog, they thought it was a doll, so she was brought there. Mia was wearing a nightgown because the attack woke her up, and she held the dog in her hands throughout the kidnapping and hugged her. So whoever took them thought it was a girl wearing a nightgown holding a dog doll with her."
'My biggest concern is that they will be mentally broken'
Since release from captivity, the Leimberg-Marman family has been fighting alongside the families of the kidnapped individuals for the return of all the hostages from Hamas captivity.
"We said goodbye to Luis and Fernando before we came here. We said goodbye, with a hug, 'We'll meet in two or three days, ' and we said, 'See you soon. ' So it wasn't dramatic on the outside, but it was very, very difficult for us," Clara Marman recounted in the days following her release from captivity. "To know that another day and another goes by and they have no idea what is happening in the country, like I didn't. I was received back in Israel with a lot of support, but they don't know if there are even any efforts to bring them back or if they have been forgotten. My biggest concern is that they will be mentally broken."