Iris also asked the soldiers not to hesitate, adding: “If you see a terrorist, don’t think you killed a hostage on purpose. You need to protect yourself because that’s the only way you can protect us."
She also invited the battalion to visit her family home, saying: "At the first opportunity, you are invited to come to us... we want to see you with our eyes, hug you, and tell you, as painful and sad as it is to say such a thing, that you probably did the right thing in that moment. None of us are judging you, nor are we angry.”
Yotam, 28, was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 from his home in Kfar Aza. He was a talented drummer who loved to cook.
During the Hamas attack, he wrote to his family WhatsApp group: "They are taking everything from me, they are burning my house, I hope to survive."
Iris travelled to London in November to appeal for the release of her son.
