The Tragic Pattern of Targeting Israeli Civilians, Past and Present

There is a tragic pattern of violence towards the Jewish people and even more disturbing is the targeting of women, children and the elderly. This is at odds however with Islam, the importance of the elderly in Islam is clear. Islam recognizes the elderly as a valuable asset to society, they are viewed as a source of wisdom, experience, and guidance. Their prophet said, “He is not of us who does not have mercy on young children, nor honor the elderly”, Islam places a strong emphasis on the respect and care of the elderly. According to Islam, Elders have the right to protection from harm, abuse, or neglect. They should be treated with dignity, not with violence or exploitation.

What does Islam teach regarding protection and safety of a child.
Children have a very high status and are seen as precious gifts from God and mercy should be shown to all children, therefore child protection in Islam is very important. Their prophet emphasized the gentle treatment of children and avoiding harm or suffering to them.

But this is not what I have witnessed, for decades Israeli civilians—men, women, children, and even infants—have been brutally targeted in terrorist attacks.

The enemies of Israel have a pattern of murdering infants and toddlers.
The Misgav Am hostage crisis, which began during the night of April 7, 1980, was a raid carried out by a squad of five Palestinian militants belonging to the Iraqi-backed Arab Liberation Front militant organization, on the northern Israeli kibbutz of Misgav Am in which the militants captured a group of toddlers and babies in the children’s sleeping quarters of the kibbutz and held them as hostages. The event ended the next day with the takeover of the terrorist stronghold by Israeli special forces. Eyal Gluska, age 2 was murdered by Palestinian Terrorists on that day.

Mila Cohen, murdered at 10 months old.
Little Mila tragically lost her life alongside her father, Ohad Cohen, who was 43, in a senseless act of violence. A 73-year-old grandmother, her 43-year-old son and barely 10-month granddaughter. Three generations of one Israeli family brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. They were laid to rest side by side, the infant sharing the same coffin as her father.

Ariel and Kfir Bibas
February 20, 2025, Hamas releases bodies of four Israelis, including toddlers Kfir and Ariel Bibas, in a disturbing display alongside propagandist inscription “arrested October 7, 2023”. Kfir was only 9 months old, Ariel was only 4. The video of their kidnapping has served as a symbol of the horror in which Israel suffered that morning.

What do the events of 1980 and 2023 have in common? Radical Islamic terrorists have a long history of targeting the most vulnerable, for example Hamas deliberately targeted the elderly on October 7, 2023, let’s never forget these elderly persons whom were murdered by Hamas.

Hanna Kritzman, murdered at age 88 in Kibbutz Be’eri
Hanna, the mythological storyteller of Kibbutz Be’eri and the kibbutz movement, was wounded in an attack in Be’eri and passed away two weeks later from her injuries. Hanna had lived in Kibbutz Be’eri for over 70 years. She was one of the founding members of the  kibbutz, a strong woman who was an integral part of the landscape of Be’eri for many years. She was in her home with her husband, and on a wheelchair, she tried to defend herself from the gunfire directed at them. Her husband was also injured, and she succumbed to her injuries. She raised a generation with pride and left behind four children, 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Albert Avlom Miles, age 80 and the devastation of multi-generational families. Albert was murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri where he lived. Born in Alexandria into a traditional family, he immigrated to Israel and from the age of sixteen lived in the kibbutz. He was a Zionist, a joyful man who sang and danced in Arabic, Hebrew, and Spanish. He lived a beautiful and fulfilling life. He loved the landscapes of the kibbutz, the anemones, and bicycle trips, and always had a constant smile. He was color blind, but he was remembered fondly for wearing bright colors, driving around the kibbutz on his electric scooter which was covered in stickers, and handing out figs and sabras he grew himself.

Shlomo Ron, age 85 murdered at Nahal Oz Kibbutz.
Shlomo ensured the safety of his wife, two daughters, and grandson by having them stay in the bomb shelter, while he himself sat on the couch in the living room, hoping the terrorist would assume he was the only one there and not pursue his family. The terrorists shot him on sight and left the house. Through his brave act, he safeguarded their lives at the cost of his own.

Moshe Ridler, age 91: Holocaust survivor was ‘kibbutz grandfather’
Moshe was the oldest resident of the small community which numbered only around 200 people before Hamas’s murderous rampage. His family said he was sent to a concentration camp at age 9 and succeeded in fleeing at age 11. He moved to Israel in 1951, ultimately joining the police force and serving as a detective.

After retiring from the police force, Moshe worked with the Jewish Agency, managing absorption centers which housed Ethiopian immigrants in the 1980s and 1990s.

His care giver, Petru Boscov, a Moldovan citizen, was by his side and murdered by Hamas. Everyone in the kibbutz knew Ridler and Boscov from their daily walks to the post office and the market, walking slowly and greeting everyone along the way.

In conclusion, there are many similar stories of innocent lives being taken by these radical Islamic terrorists. Although it is clearly against their faith, it is still prevalent today and so much of this senseless violence is targeted towards Jewish people. Lets acknowledge that Israel is on the front lines of this war against radical Islam and it is for this reason that good people do not remain silent. We must support Israel and the Jewish people in conversations, in actions, in social media and with family and friends. Israel needs our support; the Jewish people need our love and prayers for strength and healing.