On the morning of October 7, 2023, Aviv Kutz was supposed to lead the annual kite festival along the border at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. He had built kites meant to soar toward Gaza, carrying handwritten messages of hope, coexistence and peace.

The kites never flew. Instead, terror breached the family home. For days the world waited in silence, and when rescuers finally reached the house, they found the answer on a single bed: Aviv (53), his wife Livnat (49), and their three children, Rotem (18), Yonatan (16) and Yiftach (14).

They did not die running. They died wrapped around each other, with a father using his own body as a shield against the unthinkable.From the tribute shared by Dr. Afshine Emrani, Los Angeles

Five lives, one family

Tap each card to read how the family is remembered by their memorial at livnatswings.org.

What the record says

The family’s memorial states that Aviv, Livnat, Rotem, Yonatan and Yiftach were killed on October 7, 2023 at their home in Kfar Aza, and that they were found embracing one another in the family’s safe room. It adds that Aviv initiated the kite festival to bring the community together and express hope for peace near the Gaza border.

The family was also named in the UK House of Commons during the debate “Hamas Attacks: First Anniversary”. The parliamentary record says the kites had been prepared, that the five were found together in a bed with Aviv’s arms around his wife and children, and that the unflown kites were found nearby.

Peace, remembered as a way of living

The Kutz story has become a symbol of the contrast between peace-building and violent destruction. A festival built on hope was scheduled for the very day of the attack, which gives the unflown kites their weight. Yet the family’s memorial insists that remembrance is more than the manner of their deaths: it is their craftsmanship, service, education, compassion and love of community.

Remember their faces. Speak their names. May the memory of the Kutz family forever be a blessing. 🕯️🕊️

#October7#NeverForget#KfarAza#KutzFamily

Dr. Afshine Emrani, MD

Cardiologist · Los Angeles, California, United States

A cardiologist focused on health education and lifestyle coaching, with more than 27 years of experience and Medical Director of Los Angeles Heart Specialists. His tribute to the Kutz family brought the story to wide attention. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Sources

• Original Facebook post
• Kutz family memorial and family history
• UK Parliament: “Hamas Attacks: First Anniversary”
• Afshine Emrani on LinkedIn
• Los Angeles Heart Specialists: About Dr. Afshine Emrani