Acknowledge role of Gazan civilians in Oct. 7
The father of the late IDF Sgt. Roni Eshel, who was tragically murdered by Hamas on October 7, urged the world to acknowledge that Gazan civilians were among those who infiltrated Israel and carried out the massacre that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals.
“A lot of terrorist people came into Israel, but not just terrorist people – civilians – that are asking for humanitarian help today from the whole world,” Eyal Eshel said at The Jerusalem Post Women Leaders Summit in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening. “Remember, there were terrorists, a lot of terrorists, and civilians.”
Eshel was at the event to receive the Woman of Valor award on behalf of his daughter, a vigilant soldier who bravely fought against Hamas. She was among those who had forewarned about Hamas’s impending actions on that fateful day.
“She was a beautiful girl,” Eshel said of his daughter, who served as a surveillance soldier at the Nahal Oz base near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The base was among the most brutally hit during the attack. Fifteen surveillance soldiers were killed on October 7, and six more were taken hostage. In total, 66 troops were killed in the attack on the base.
“Her smile is the only thing we have today – a memory of Roni,” her father said.
Before the event, Eshel told
The Jerusalem Post that Roni “began smiling just two hours after her birth” and radiated joy throughout her life. He said she embraced life passionately, cherished her friendships, reveled in celebrations, and deeply
loved food. Cooking, particularly Asian and Italian dishes, was something at which Roni excelled.
Roni was 19 years and seven months old when she was murdered.
hosted its third annual Women Leaders Summit on Wednesday evening at Google for Startups in Tel Aviv. The event brought together a group of powerful and creative women to discuss topics ranging from gender distribution in hi-tech, sustainability, leadership, and investment.
The Post hosted Eyal Eshel, father of
Sgt. Roni Eshel, who was murdered in the October 7 massacre and presented his daughter with the Woman of Valor award. In addition, philanthropist Batia Ofer received the Champion of Tolerance award.
A highlight of the event was the 2024 Next-Gen Women’s Entrepreneurship contest sponsored by the Luzzatto Group, which was judged by Dr. Esther
Luzzatto, Tamar Luzzatto, and Dr. Gili Bittan-Banin, head of innovation for the Bazan Group. Entrepreneur Alisa Givertz of Liquid360 won that award.
There was also a special focus on the heroines of the war, including interviews with Prof. Eilat Shinar, director of National Blood Services for Magen David Adom; Sivan Mashiach, a volunteer paramedic for United Hatzalah; and Tali
Tzour Avner, chief of staff for Jewish National Fund USA.
“Since the morning of October 7, when Hamas terrorists brutally and viciously attacked Israel, the Jerusalem Post has been the most reliable, dependable, and consistent Israeli news source for English-speaking readers in Israel and around the world,” said The Jerusalem Post Group CEO Inbar Ashkenazi.
“In spite of the difficulties, we are experiencing a beautiful moment of unity and resolve among the Jewish people, in the hope that theses will soon turn into a better future, for Israel and Jewish world, as a new generation of leaders grows are dark timed gets ready to take over the mission,” she added.
All photos were taken by Marc Israel Sellem for