After the IDF mistakenly killed her son in Gaza, Yotam Haim's mother chose forgiveness and hope

Iris Haim is channeling her profound grief into a message of forgiveness and hope after her son, Yotam, was mistakenly killed by IDF soldiers just days after escaping Hamas captivity. Yotam, along with two other hostages, had survived five days hiding in Gaza before being tragically misidentified by troops on December 15, 2023.

“

It would have been easier for me to succumb to despair and visit his grave every day. I could sit at home and be angry at the army that killed my son, and the government that abandoned me on Oct. 7, but that was not an option for me.

Instead of succumbing to despair or anger, Haim has become a prominent voice advocating for unity and offering comfort. During the traditional seven-day mourning period, she recorded a message of forgiveness for the soldiers involved and has since spoken widely, urging people to remain united.

“

First and foremost, it’s about supporting the family. The family is the most important anchor in the life of a person facing difficulties. Through conversations with many families, I’ve seen the challenges they face – the shame, the tendency to hide what they’re going through, and the lack of communication that can develop between family members.

Haim is now spearheading the creation of Beit Yotam, a center dedicated to mental health and trauma recovery, planned for the Gaza border area. This initiative is deeply rooted in the values that supported Yotam throughout his life: strong family connections, music, sports, and animals.

“

With Yotam, we built a strong support network around him, and it helped him tremendously. That is the foundation of Beit Yotam. Before anything else, it will serve as a resilience center for families, providing them with the support, guidance, and tools they need to cope with these challenges together.

"First and foremost, it’s about supporting the family," Haim explained. She emphasizes the importance of open communication and resilience within families, drawing from her own experience building a strong support network for Yotam. The center will also focus on individual healing through activities Yotam enjoyed, such as CrossFit, basketball, and music, which Haim describes as "a frequency of love."

“

Yotam loved CrossFit and played basketball. CrossFit strengthened him.