Rachel Edri

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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.