Israeli Woman Survives Hamas Attack by Serving Tea and Cookies

Rachel Edri, a 65-year-old woman from Ofakim, Israel, survived a Hamas attack by serving the militants tea and Moroccan cookies. Her story has turned her into an unlikely folk hero in Israel.

On October 7th, amidst the Israel-Hamas war, a 65-year old woman named Rachel Edri from Ofakim, Israel became an unexpected folk hero. After finding Hamas militants in her living room following an air-raid siren, Edri managed to survive by serving them tea and Moroccan cookies for almost twenty hours until police stormed in and killed the attackers.

As gunfire raged outside her home, Edri found herself in a tense standoff with the armed intruders. Despite one of them striking her across the face with his gun, she remained calm and compassionate. She served them canned pineapple along with tea and cookies while engaging them in conversations to keep them calm. "After they drank and ate, they became much calmer," Edri recalled during an interview with Ynet.

A Rescue Operation

Seventeen hours into this ordeal, a rescue team was finally able to free Edri and her husband thanks to their son Eviatar's assistance who provided a sketch of their house layout which helped surprise the militants. Following this incident that left their house heavily damaged, both were relocated to a hotel in central Israel.

Praise From The President

In recognition of her bravery during such dire circumstances, Edri was invited on Wednesday to meet President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel where he thanked her for defending the country.

The Making of A Folk Hero

Edri's story has been widely shared online as well as national media outlets who have compared her actions to those of Yael from biblical times who slayed an evil general by offering him food before killing him in his sleep. Her brother Shimon Koram wasn't surprised when he heard how his sister managed to avoid death, attributing her quick thinking and survival instincts to their working-class upbringing in a family of 12 siblings. "We learned to survive and acquired the wisdom of life like street cats," he said.

Defending Their Homeland

The Hamas militants who had infiltrated Ofakim and more than 20 other border communities through Israel's fortified separation wall killed at least 48 residents before they were fought off by courageous civilians armed with pistols. Yoni Shalem, a local resident, praised his neighbors for their bravery saying that they "fought like lions" while criticizing law enforcement agencies for their lack of action during this crisis.

In conclusion, Rachel Edri's story serves as an inspiring tale of courage and resilience amidst chaos. Her ability to keep calm under pressure not only saved her life but also highlighted the spirit of everyday Israelis who are often left to fend for themselves during such conflicts. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit that can find light even in the darkest times.