Tamar Kutz, founder of Kibbutz Aza, whose family was murdered during Hamas massacre, dies 'broken-hearted'

Founder of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, Tamar Kutz, died on Monday, just 19 months after losing her son, her daughter-in-law and their three grandchildren on Oct. 7, 2023, as well as the community she loved.

The small, peace-loving kibbutz was devastated, with 64 murdered and 19 taken hostage by the Hamas terror group. Tamar died in her sleep in the apartment to which she and her husband, Beni Kutz, had been evacuated.

Kibbutz Kfar Aza lies just 3 kilometers (less than 2 miles) north east of the Gaza Strip, and residents were passionate about peace with their Palestinian neighbors. Kutz’s son, Aviv, started the annual “Avivoniada” kite festival 15 years ago as an expression of peace and hope. 

​​“The father started a tradition that every Simchat Torah, they made a celebration of kites and everyone was ready for it,” explained Orit Kashtan, who has been working with the evacuated families. “It’s beautiful and there’s a meaning.”

She continued, “He used to say, ‘They are sending rockets towards us, and we are sending kites.'” The kites carried messages of freedom and peace for their Palestinian neighbors in Gaza. 

The yellow kites were ready and the festival was about to take place on the last day of the Sukkot holiday 2023, however, before the festival even got started, Aviv, together his wife, Livnat, and their children Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftach were all burned alive by Hamas terrorists. They were found huddled together in a bed, with Aviv embracing them all.

“They were all amazing kids with huge hearts. They had their whole lives ahead of them,” their aunt Adi Levy Salama said, according to the Times of Israel. “On the day they were murdered, we were supposed to visit them. Aviv organized an annual kite festival along the fence with Gaza to show them that we just want to live in peace.”

The small community of just over 750 residents was one of the hardest-hit on Oct. 7, with almost every home in the community either damaged or destroyed.

Resident Avidor Schwartzman told Reuters what he witnessed after surviving the massacre on the kibbutz. "There were bodies everywhere. Dead bodies everywhere," he said. "We saw our little piece of paradise, our little piece of heaven, was totally burnt – burnt and with blood everywhere".

The Jerusalem Post reported Kutz’s words from an interview in the wake of the attack: "Our destruction is a kibbutz that was destroyed, literally the houses, the memories, the lives," she said. "We sat on the border, we guarded it, we established a settlement, and we were left alone. Not a single government representative came, did not listen, and did not take responsibility. We were like ducks in a shooting range."

An IDF investigation found that Kfar Aza was captured by terrorists within the first hour of the attack, but that clearing the community of terrorists took nearly three days, according to the Times of Israel. ​​

Kfar Aza resident Ami Cahana wrote a book called "Journey Back to the House of Betrayal," documenting the attack and its aftermath. He described the pain of seeing the “physical expression of loss daily” at the kibbutz.

“A place that was once home but has changed beyond all recognition. In every corner, somebody was murdered. Around my house, 20 faces of friends will no longer be there.” On Oct. 7, he said, “the ship sank.”

Tamar Kutz not only lost multiple personal family members but also the community she had poured her heart and soul into.

"The Kutz family was the heart of the Kfar Aza," said a community member. "The loss is not only of people but of an entire generation of faith, action, and hope."

Residents joined together to offer a moving tribute, saying that Kutz died of a broken heart.

"The community of Kfar Aza bows its head with the passing of our dear friend, Tamar Kutz z”l. Tamar, a veteran educator, beloved and respected, was one of the founding members of the kibbutz and a pillar of our community. On Oct. 7, the ‘Black Sabbath,’ she lost her most beloved; her son Aviv, his wife Libat, and their children Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftach. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her devoted husband Beni, her daughters Sharon and Talia, and her grandchildren. May her memory be a blessing."