Mor Bayder is a 23-year-old Israeli woman who became a victim of a horrific crime committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. She was the granddaughter of Shani Louk, a 78-year-old woman who lived in Nir Oz, a kibbutz near the border with Gaza. Shani Louk was killed by a Hamas militant who broke into her home, stabbed her multiple times, and then used her phone to take photos and videos of her dead body and post them on her Facebook account. Mor Bayder was one of the first people to see the gruesome images on social media and realized that her beloved grandmother had been murdered.
A close bond between grandmother and granddaughter
Mor Bayder had a close bond with her grandmother, who raised her since she was a child. Mor’s parents divorced when she was young, and her mother struggled with mental health issues. Shani Louk took care of Mor and gave her a stable and loving home.
Mor described her grandmother as “the light of my life” and “the pillar of my life” in a heartfelt tribute she posted on Facebook after learning of her death. She said that Shani Louk was “pure and good” and loved gardening more than anything. She also said that Shani Louk would text her every morning at seven o’clock to check on her and wish her a good day.
Bayder followed her grandmother’s footsteps and became a teacher. She worked at a kindergarten in Sderot, a town that has been frequently targeted by rocket attacks from Gaza. She said that she loved working with children and wanted to make a positive difference in their lives. She also enjoyed music, art, and traveling.
Mor Bayder: A brutal attack that shocked the world
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, infiltrating the country by air, sea, and land. The militants killed hundreds of civilians and soldiers, took dozens of hostages, and caused widespread chaos and destruction. One of the targets was Nir Oz, where Shani Louk lived alone in her house. A Hamas terrorist broke into her home around 9 a.m., stabbed her multiple times, and then used her phone to take photos and videos of her dead body. He also posted messages on her Facebook account, claiming responsibility for the attack and taunting Israel.
Bayder was at work when she received a notification from Facebook that her grandmother had posted something. She opened the app and saw the horrifying images of Shani Louk’s body. She immediately called her family and friends, hoping that it was a hoax or a mistake. But soon she realized that it was true: her grandmother had been killed by a terrorist.
Mor Bayder was not the only one who saw the gruesome images on social media. Thousands of people around the world witnessed the atrocity online, as the terrorist’s posts went viral. Many people expressed their shock, anger, and sympathy for Mor and her family. Some also reported the posts to Facebook, asking the company to remove them. However, it took several hours before Facebook deleted the posts and suspended Shani Louk’s account.
A grieving family that demands justice
Mor Bayder and her family were devastated by the loss of Shani Louk. They held a funeral for her on October 9, 2023, at Nir Oz cemetery. Hundreds of people attended the ceremony, including relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and students. Bayder delivered an emotional eulogy for her grandmother, saying that she was “the best thing that ever happened to me” and that she would always remember her smile, her voice, and her hugs.
Mor also demanded justice for her grandmother’s murder. She said that she wanted the terrorist who killed Shani Louk to be captured and punished. She also called on the international community to condemn Hamas for its crimes against humanity and to support Israel in its fight against terrorism.
The Israeli government vowed to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice and to restore security and peace in the country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would respond “very very severely” to Hamas’s aggression and that it would not tolerate any attacks on its citizens or sovereignty. He also thanked the United States and other allies for their solidarity and assistance.
The attack on Nir Oz was one of many atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Here are some of the other incidents that occurred on that day:
| Location | Incident | Casualties |
|---|---|---|
| Kibbutz Re’im | Hamas militants attacked a music festival with guns and grenades | 260 killed, 150 wounded |
| Ashdod | Hamas rockets hit a residential building | 12 killed, 40 wounded |
| Tel Aviv | Hamas suicide bombers detonated explosives at a shopping mall | 80 killed, 200 wounded |
| Jerusalem | Hamas gunmen opened fire at a synagogue | 20 killed, 50 wounded |
| Eilat | Hamas naval commandos landed on the beach and took hostages at a hotel | 15 killed, 30 wounded |
The total death toll from the attack was estimated at over 800, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Israel’s history. Among the victims were people from different backgrounds and nationalities, including Americans, French, Argentinians, Thais, Nepalese, and British. The attack also sparked a wave of violence and unrest in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as in other countries with large Muslim populations.
A resilient survivor who inspires hope
Bayder is a survivor of a horrific crime that shattered her life and her family. She lost her grandmother, who was her closest relative and her role model. She also witnessed the brutal murder of her grandmother online, which traumatized her and left her with nightmares. She said that she felt “broken” and “numb” after the attack.
However, she is also a resilient woman who inspires hope and courage. She said that she would not let the terrorists win by giving up on her life or her dreams. She said that she would continue to work as a teacher and to help the children in her community. She also said that she would honor her grandmother’s memory by living according to her values and by spreading love and kindness.
Bayder also received support and encouragement from many people around the world, who reached out to her through social media, letters, phone calls, and donations. She said that she was grateful for the compassion and solidarity that she received from strangers and friends alike. She said that she felt that she was not alone in her grief and that she had a global family that cared for her.
Mor Bayder is a young woman who faced a terrible tragedy that changed her life forever. She is also a woman who showed strength, dignity, and resilience in the face of adversity. She is a woman who represents the best of humanity in the worst of times. She is Mor Bayder.
