Slain hostages Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper were laid to rest in southern Israel on Sunday after their remains were returned last week.
Baruch and Cooper's remains were returned on Thursday. On Sunday morning, Cooper was buried in the Kibbutz Nir Oz cemetery.
"Dad, I’m so sorry it took so long, I’m sorry we couldn’t bring you back alive, I’m sorry your time ran out, I’m sorry you had to remain there for so long," Cooper's daughter, Ravit Nohomovitz, said.
"There is certainly something comforting, something that calms the heart, something that releases the black day in our history. Certainty comes to all the families, and no family will be left alone in the fight to bring our loved ones back. We were caught in a tragedy and struggle that is no longer just our personal story. It is the story of this people, this state, and values we all must fight for."
Rotem Cooper said that he admired his father's devotion to the kibbutz.
“You and Mom remained devoted to Nir Oz and never left your home, even during difficult days under rocket attacks. And so it was on that Black Saturday when you and Mom were kidnapped by despicable murderers. By a miracle, Mom was released and returned to our family after 17 days in Hamas tunnels. We find small comfort in knowing that you knew this had happened," he added.
"Today we are laying you to rest alongside your comrades in mission and path. The last grave in an all-too-long row of graves dug since that Black Saturday. A grave that also symbolizes the closing of a chapter for our family and for our beloved Nir Oz community, a community that can now look toward rehabilitation and rebuilding."
Sahar Baruch buried in Kibbutz Be'eri
Later on Sunday afternoon, Baruch was buried in the Kibbutz Be'eri cemetery. He was buried next to his brother, Idan Baruch.
Tami Baruch, Shahar's mother, stated that she wished that her son had been able to live more of his life before he was killed.
"You were a hostage for far too long, and it became part of your identity," she stated. "Before that, you had many other identities, like a traveler, a chess player, a kayaker, a wise student, a nerd, a steel engine, and more. I had hoped for you that there would be new identities, like the electrical engineer you wanted to be, a partner, a father, and more, but that will never happen.
"We have many memories, but not enough together. I am deeply saddened that we will not create new memories together, that so many experiences you could have had will never be lived."
"Sahar, that’s it, you’re here, although not as we hoped, but you’re here beside us," his aunt, Rebecca Manor, said.
"Today, we bury you in the soil of Be'eri next to Idan, your beloved brother, whom you tried to save on that dreadful day. Although we’ve known for a long time that you were no longer alive, there remained an illogical hope within us, a hope that maybe it was all a mistake and maybe you would return to us alive, with your modest smile. Now, even that last bit of hope is dissipating, and we can say that the circle has closed."
"You were at the beginning of your life, and the thought of you breaks our hearts into a million pieces," she added. "Sahar, watch over us from above, and send our love to Idan, to Grandma, and to so many people who were here and are no longer with us, and who are so deeply missed."
On the day of the two's identification, Kibbutz Nir Oz, which Cooper founded, stated that the community could begin to heal.
"Seven hundred and fifty five days after the massacre, no hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz remain in Hamas captivity," a statement released by Kibbutz Nir Oz following the identification of Cooper and Baruch's remains read.
"Now, with the return of the last hostage from the kibbutz, we can begin to process, heal, and mourn the 65 loved ones who will never return." the statement went on. "Alongside our painful closure, there are still 11 families waiting for their loved ones. We will continue to work together with them to bring everyone back, until the last hostage."