Families in New York City and Israel Mourn the Loss of Two Young Women Killed in Hamas Attack in Israel

NEW YORK — Two families with ties to New York City are mourning the loss of their daughters, who were among the 260 people killed by Hamas militants at a music festival in Israel on Saturday.

Hannie Ricardo, an Israeli mother living in New York City, received the news that her 26-year-old daughter, Oriya, was missing and immediately flew back to Israel. For four days, Ricardo held out hope that her daughter was in hiding, but on Tuesday, Oriya’s boyfriend drove to the site of the festival to search the area of her last cellphone ping.

Ricardo found a message from her daughter on WhatsApp saying, “Mom, I love you so much,” and realized it was a goodbye. She had attempted to escape with a friend but her friend was shot as they drove away.

The other family with ties to New York City is mourning the loss of Noa, a young woman who was taken by Hamas at the festival. A video of her being taken was released and her family has been searching for her since.

The death of these two young women has left their families in New York City and Israel devastated. They are now left to grieve the loss of their daughters and remember them for the lives they lived.