A harrowing tale of survival emerges from the ongoing conflict as an Israeli mother, Shaylee Atary, shares the traumatic experience of escaping Hamas terrorists who invaded her home. Her 1-month-old daughter, Shayla, endured a grueling 27-hour period without formula as they awaited rescue.
The ordeal began when Atary, preparing to feed her newborn, found herself amidst a sudden onslaught of bombs outside her Kfar Aza residence. Initially, she believed it was just another routine bombing, but the scale of the attack quickly became evident.
Moments later, the family was confronted by attackers who shouted “Come, come” in Arabic and forcibly entered their bedroom. In a desperate escape, Atary fled with her defenseless infant, leaving her husband behind, a move that potentially saved his life.
With her daughter in tow and lacking basic essentials such as shoes and a phone, Atary ventured into the night, dodging Hamas gunmen who relentlessly fired upon them. Eventually, they found refuge in a shed, where Shayla’s cries spurred Atary to continue her search for help.
One compassionate family, recognizing that Atary was not one of the terrorists, offered her sanctuary. Their surveillance cameras verified her innocence, and they took in the mother and child, who had endured 27 hours of constant bombardment.
Throughout this terrifying experience, Atary struggled to keep her infant calm, fearing that every cry might expose their location to potential danger. By the time they were rescued, Shayla had turned ghastly pale. Medical professionals later confirmed that the infant had suffered severe dehydration.
As the days pass following the traumatic event, Atary remains desperate for information about her husband, Yahav Winner, a filmmaker of over 10 years. Describing Winner’s physical appearance, including a distinctive feather tattoo, brown hair, and blue eyes, Atary clings to hope that he may have been taken captive in Gaza, acknowledging it as a slender lifeline of optimism.
The ongoing conflict has left numerous families in anguish, with Atary’s personal account highlighting the immense challenges faced by those caught in the crossfire.
