Givon native Uriel Baruch was murdered at the Nova Music Festival massacre on October 7, 2023, and his body was taken into Gaza, where it was kept for over two years. Baruch was 35 years old at the time of his murder. He is survived by his wife Racheli, and his two children, Shalev and Ofek, as well as his parents and siblings.
Baruch arrived at the Nova party along with his friend, Michael, to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Two days after his murder, his family received footage showing Baruch in his vehicle, wounded and still alive. However, his death was later confirmed when the IDF informed the family on March 26, 2024.
Baruch worked in the building materials industry and was fond of techno music and going out. His mother, Naomi, described him as a “child who loved life, always smiling and surrounded by friends.”
His friends described a “happy, kindhearted, and ethical man who always took care of others and gave his time to anyone who needed it.
In November 2023, 50 days after Baruch had been kidnapped to Gaza and during the first agreed release of hostages, his younger brother Idan told The Jerusalem Post that “We had hoped to see a general agreement which would bring all of the hostages out, but the government has insisted that nobody will be left behind, and we have to trust in that.
“What can we do? We don’t make the decisions. So at least there will be those who will be released now, and we will be happy for them.”
A generous soul
Idan described his brother as having a very generous soul and being young in spirit. He also mentioned that his brother, the third of four siblings, had a passion for music and festivals.
“Just to show us videos – even two seconds – so that we can see that they are okay; we are not looking for more than that. That would help us keep our hopes up,” he said. “Even if we just get a sign of life, that he is okay, we will calm down. Part of our stress is that we are living with uncertainty.”
Judith Sudilovsky contributed to this report.