Tomer Arava Eliaz — 17 years old Look at the boy on the left. His name was Tomer Arava Eliaz. He was only 17 years old. This photograph captures one of the most terrifying moments of October 7, 2023, inside his family’s home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. Armed Hamas terrorists had broken into the house. Noam Elyakim had already been shot and wounded in the leg. Tomer, his mother Dikla, Noam and the two girls were forced to sit together while the terrorists used Dikla’s Facebook account to broadcast their ordeal live. Their relatives and friends could see what was happening—but were powerless to reach them. Then came another horrifying moment. The terrorists took 17-year-old Tomer away from his mother and forced him at gunpoint to accompany them through the kibbutz. They used the terrified teenager to try to get other families to open their locked safe rooms. Yet even under those unimaginable circumstances, Tomer reportedly tried to protect others. While being forced from house to house, he attempted to convince his captors that some homes were empty—trying to protect the people hiding inside. Imagine being 17 years old. Minutes earlier, you are sitting beside your mother. Your family is being held at gunpoint. Your home—the place where you should feel safest—has been invaded. Then you are taken away from your mother and forced to walk through your own community with armed terrorists behind you, knowing that the lives of your neighbours may depend on what you say. Tomer never made it home. He was only 17. He should be remembered not merely as the frightened teenager visible in a horrific livestream, but as a young man placed in an impossible situation who still tried to protect others. Remember his face. Remember his name. Tomer Arava Eliaz. 17 years old. The photograph freezes a few seconds of his life. His story tells us what those seconds actually meant.