Baby Who Symbolized Oct. 7 Terror Returns to Israeli Kibbutz
Kai Labban, who was 10 days old during the Hamas attack, has returned to Kibbutz Nirim with his parents after surviving a harrowing nine-hour ordeal.
Ten-day-old Kai Labban was the newest resident of Kibbutz Nirim, an agricultural community near the Gaza border, when Hamas terrorists attacked on October 7, 2023. His parents, Aimee and Uriel Labban, narrowly escaped with their newborn by hiding in their home's safe room.
As Hamas terrorists stormed their home and set it ablaze, the Labbans placed Kai in the crevice of a windowsill. Aimee Labban took a photograph of her son, intending it as a record of their struggle should they not survive. This image was shared with family abroad, who then sent it to the media, transforming Kai into an international symbol of hope.
During the attack, the family endured nine hours in the safe room while terrorists attempted to break down their door. They were eventually rescued by Israeli Defense Forces troops and treated for severe smoke inhalation. Kai also developed blood poisoning and required an oxygen tank for three days.
Initially, Kai's photograph circulated globally, eliciting messages of support and donations of essential items from around the world. He became known as the youngest survivor of the Oct. 7 attacks, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of many others. The kibbutz itself sustained significant damage, with about 150 terrorists attacking in waves.
Despite the destruction of their home, the Labbans, both of whom work on the kibbutz, were determined to return. They moved back to Kibbutz Nirim in August 2025. "This will always be our home," Aimee Labban stated. "No terrorists will chase us out of our country."
Both parents have been diagnosed with PTSD. They plan to mark the anniversary of Oct. 7 by reflecting on their experiences. "It was the best of humanity alongside the worst of humanity," Aimee Labban said, referencing both the survivors of the attack and the global support they received. "We survived people who wanted us dead and we saw people connect with Kai from worlds away."
Despite occasional anxieties about the past, the family finds comfort in their return to the kibbutz. "This is where we became a family, and this is where we’ll stay a family," she added.