‘Closing the circle’: October 7 victim Elitzur Hajbi laid to rest three years after massacre

"For us, our responsibility was not complete until we could bring him to rest with the dignity and respect every person deserves," said said ZAKA Search & Rescue CEO.

Elitzur Hajbi, the last victim killed in the October 7 massacre in Moshav Yachini, was laid to rest on Wednesday, the third anniversary of the attacks, according to a statement released by ZAKA.

Following the attacks, Hajbi's family was initially unable to enter the room where he was killed, the statement said. While the rest of the home was cleaned and restored, the room remained sealed for three years.

In recent days, ahead of the third anniversary of October 7, the family allowed the door to be opened and contacted ZAKA Search and Rescue for assistance in the removal and burial of Hajbi's remains.

'Bringing him to rest with the dignity'

ZAKA volunteers from the organization's Sderot unit arrived at the home alongside ZAKA Deputy Director of Operations Chaim Weingarten and Rabbi Avi Deri, ZAKA's commander for the Lachish region. The team spent several hours collecting the remains.

"Walking into that room this morning was a chilling closing of the circle," said ZAKA Search & Rescue CEO Dubi Weissenstern.

"Three years after October 7, we returned to complete the sacred work that began on that terrible morning. For Elitzur’s family, this was a room they could not enter. For us, our responsibility was not complete until we could bring him to rest with the dignity and respect every person deserves."

"For three years, that room remained frozen in time for Elitzur’s family," said Moshe Rosenberg, Executive Director of ZAKA US.

"Opening the door was an incredibly difficult moment, but it allowed the family to finally take this painful step. ZAKA was there to ensure that Elitzur was treated with dignity and respect and that his family could bring him to burial."

"Unlike three years ago, today we were not working alone among destroyed homes, but together with Elitzur’s son and brother," said Deri.

"It is difficult to put the feelings into words. We worked with reverence and sensitivity, praying that our work would bring the family some measure of comfort."