Rachel Edry hostage stand-off

{{Short description|2023 terror incident in Israel}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} [[File:Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits Israel (53251416840).jpg|thumb|Rachel Edry (right, speaking into microphones) meeting with UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly who came to visit her on 11 October 2023, 4 days after she was held hostage]] On 7 October 2023, a couple in their 60s, Rachel and David Edry (Edri), were held captive in their home in Ofakim, Israel, by Hamas militants during a large-scale invasion from the Gaza Strip. The incident lasted for approximately 20 hours and ended with their successful rescue by Israeli security forces. Following the incident, Rachel Edry gained national fame and became a cultural icon in Israel, symbolizing resilience and courage in the face of adversity. Her image and story were widely circulated in the media, inspiring various forms of artistic expression and becoming a part of popular culture.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/coffee-and-cookies-how-a-hostage-kept-her-terrorist-captors-distracted-till-rescue/|title=Coffee and cookies: How a hostage kept her terrorist captors distracted till rescue|date=9 October 2023|work=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

==Background== At the time of the event, Rachel Edry had been working at the Tze'elim Army Base cafeteria for 42 years, and was affectionately called the "mother of the soldiers" for her love and devotion to the soldiers she was serving.<ref name="Ynet"/>

==Time as hostage== On 7 October Rachel Edry, and her husband David, were in their home in Ofakim, a town close to the Gaza Strip, when the attack began. Five Arabic speaking militants, who told Edri that their ages ranged from 25 to 40,<ref name="Ynet"/> broke into their home. Claiming to be the police, they quickly took control, breaking the couple's phones and questioning them while searching the house.<ref name="Haaretz">{{Cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-09/ty-article/awaiting-rescue-israeli-woman-stalled-hamas-terrorists-for-20-hours/0000018b-13ba-dcc2-a99b-17bb8c9b0000|title=Awaiting Rescue, Israeli Woman Stalled Hamas Terrorists for 20 Hours|date=9 October 2023|work=Haaretz}}</ref><ref name="TOI"/>

During the hostage stand-off, Rachel Edry reportedly sang Arabic songs to the hostage takers, engaged them in conversation, offering drinks and food, including Coke, water, and homemade cookies.<ref name="APNews">{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-militants-hero-75f145487afbc74fe28451fe49f79a50|title=Woman becomes Israeli folk hero for plying Hamas militants with snacks until rescue mission arrives|first=Julia|last=Frankel|date=18 October 2023|publisher=The Associated Press}}</ref> Her efforts to maintain a calm demeanor and even joke with the captors are believed to be attempts to buy time and prevent violence until rescue forces could arrive. She also surreptitiously indicated to the police the number of militants holding them captive.<ref name="Haaretz" /><ref name="TOI" />

At 2:30 AM the following morning, Israeli security forces, including counterterrorism units, stormed Edry's apartment and successfully rescued her and her husband while killing all the hostage takers. Rachel's son, Eviatar, a police officer, who provided valuable information about the layout of the house, played a crucial role in the planning of the rescue operation.<ref name="TOI" /><ref name="APNews" />

==Aftermath and cultural impact== [[File:Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits Israel (53249887217).jpg|thumb|UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (center) climbing up the stairs at Edry's apartment building. Behind him, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. October 11, 2023]] thumb|Street art of Rachel Edry in Haifa, Israel {{external media | title = A different street art of Rachel Edry | image1 = [https://ynet-pic1.yit.co.il/cdn-cgi/image/f=auto,w=740,q=75/picserver5/crop_images/2023/11/27/BJdAKkMS6/BJdAKkMS6_0_0_1200_1507_0_x-large.jpg Click here for image] }} The incident had a significant impact on Israeli society and culture. Rachel Edry, dubbed "Rachel from Ofakim," became a symbol of resilience and courage under pressure. Her story was widely covered in the media, and she became a pop culture icon in Israel. Her image was featured on various items, including T-shirts, and she was portrayed in art and memes, reflecting her status as a symbol of resistance and survival. This transformation into a pop icon was rapid and reflected the broader societal processing of the traumatic events.<ref name="Tablet">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/hostage-pop-icon-rachel-edri-hamas|title=From Hostage to Pop Icon: Rachel Edry's Transformation After the Hamas Hostage Incident|date=10 November 2023|work=Tablet|first=Dana|last=Kessler}}</ref> Israelis have drawn parallels between Edry and the biblical figure Yael, who famously defeated a wicked general by first giving him food and then taking his life while he slept.<ref name="APNews" />

Rachel was invited to recount her experience in various high-profile meetings, including one with US President Joe Biden during his visit to Tel Aviv.<ref name="Ynet">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/bjxis4611t|title=The woman who beat terrorists with tea and cookies: This is how Rachel Edry became a hero|newspaper=Ynetnews |date=18 October 2023|publisher=Ynet News |last1=Manhardt |first1=Ifat }}</ref> Four days after the hostage stand-off, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, flanked by Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen personally came to visit Edry at her home.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/woman-who-stalled-kidnappers-returns-to-scene-of-15-hour-terror-with-uk-foreign-secretary/|title=Woman who stalled kidnappers returns to scene of 15-hour terror, with UK foreign secretary|publisher=The Times of Israel|date=October 11, 2023|first=Canaan|last=Lidor}}</ref>

Edry was selected as one of thirty five torch lighters at the 2025 Israeli Independence Day Torch-lighting Ceremony. Although the ceremony was cancelled due to the 2025 Israel–West Bank fires, Edry participated in a dress rehearsal of the ceremony which was broadcast on Israeli Television.<ref>{{cite news|title='Bridges of Hope': The torch-lighters at Israel's 77th Independence Day celebration|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/bridges-of-hope-the-35-torch-lighters-set-to-take-the-stage-on-independence-day/|date=April 30, 2025|first=Amy|last=Spiro|publisher=The Times of Israel}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Rachel Edri}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edry, Rachel}} Category:October 2023 in Israel Category:Southern District (Israel) Category:Hostages and abductees in the October 7 attacks