Swiss fears for his cousin: “Suddenly we could only hear Arab voices” IS terrorist militia claims attack in Brussels

Eden Puder has lived in Tel Aviv for five years – until recently his daily life was completely normal. “I have always felt safe in Israel,” the 24-year-old explains. “But since last Saturday everything has changed drastically. My cousin Romi was kidnapped while she was at the Nova music festival. That is very traumatizing.”

Puder was born in Switzerland, has Swiss and Israeli citizenship and has lived in Tel Aviv since 2018. He studies music there. Puder has now had to leave Tel Aviv. Because he had no shelter in the building where he lived.

Watson reached Puder by phone in Hod HaSharon. He fled there with his girlfriend to her family; the city is located north of Tel Aviv. Using his Basel dialect, he explains: “We always have to go to the shelter when the missiles hit an area near us.”

He said: “Romi called her sister and told her that terrorists had entered the area and opened fire. Romi was then able to escape in a car. But then the driver was killed and they had to continue on foot.

He continues: “During these events, Romi was on the phone with my aunt, but suddenly all we could hear were Arab voices and gunshots. Then the connection disappeared.”

For a long time, Puder and his family did not know what happened to the cousin: “We wondered if she could escape or not? Was she hiding? Then the Israeli government informed us that she had been kidnapped and was in Hamas custody. We are doing everything we can to find her.”

Romi Gonen and her family are not alone in their suffering: visitors to the Nova Music Festival were attacked by Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7. About 260 people were killed and dozens kidnapped.

“Tel Aviv became a ghost town”

Puder cannot predict how the situation will develop. “The Hamas terrorists have kidnapped about 200 people, I don’t think they know exactly how to proceed.”

Puder says of his own situation: “It was very bad for all of us the first three days. Things are a bit quieter now, but Tel Aviv has become a ghost town. The shops and cafes are all closed.”

He continues: “I know many Arabs who live in Israel. These are also at risk because Hamas has also killed dozens of Arabs, not just Jews. They attack everyone – Hamas is not supported by the entire Palestinian people.” Puder supports the more pro-Israel side, saying: “Hamas is the greatest enemy of the Palestinian people because they spend resources on weapons instead of their people. “We should also hear more voices from Gaza against Hamas in international reporting, but these are being suppressed by Hamas.”

He doesn’t know when Puder will be able to return to his Tel Aviv apartment. Puder is not satisfied with the current Israeli government, but also criticizes Hamas: “I think this is just the beginning and this war could last a long time. Because Hamas is a terrorist organization that is not interested in resolving conflicts; they benefit from the war. They want to kill the Jews and people of other faiths and until they give up this view, there will be no peace.”

He also cannot say whether Puder will return to Switzerland. «My mother wants me to go to Switzerland. I had already booked a flight, but it was cancelled. Now I have stayed and hope that I can get involved and help people.”

He adds: “But I’m really worried and I don’t know how long I’ll be here.”

Puder hasn’t heard from his cousin since last Saturday. He does not know whether concrete attempts are being made to free them.

Puder sounds desperate: “I ask myself: what is better – being killed or being kidnapped by Hamas and still being alive? We don’t know what’s happening to her, it’s just horrible. Is she being tortured? Is she being raped?”