July 11, 2025 – The abduction of children, one of the most painful and complex dimensions of the ongoing Hamas-Israel war, is the subject of a study by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers.

The article published in the International Journal on Child Maltreatment Research Policy and Practice reviews the psychological trauma endured by children abducted during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and specifically on the forced separation of three-year-old identical twins. They were abducted from their home in southern Israel and held separately for ten days before they were finally reunited—after their mother, also held hostage, recognized her missing daughter’s cry from another room.

Drawing on extensive research from twin studies, child development, and trauma psychology, the commentary outlines the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral consequences of such separations. Young children may struggle with nightmares, anxiety, and extreme emotional reactions.

The authors, Prof. Ariel Knafo-Noam of the Hebrew University Psychology Department and Prof. Nancy L. Segal of California State University, Fullerton, argue that this case highlights the profound psychological harm caused by the separation of twins—who often share the closest bond human beings can experience—and sheds light on the broader effects of child abduction during war.

“This is not just a story about trauma,” explains Prof. Segal. “It’s a story about the rupture of the earliest, deepest relationships we form in life. When those bonds are torn apart—especially in violent, chaotic settings—it leaves deep emotional wounds.”

Prof. Knafo-Noam said, “As researchers and as people, we were deeply affected by this story. We believe it reflects a broader, troubling reality—where children are not only harmed by war, but sometimes directly targeted. That should never be normalized.”

The article situates this case within the larger context of the war’s impact on children in both Israel and Gaza, where many minors have been exposed to violence, loss, displacement, and terror.

As of today, the twins’ father remains in captivity, and nearly 100 children in Israel were forcibly separated from at least one parent. The authors call on international child welfare organizations and humanitarian bodies to speak out clearly about the harm caused by such separations—and to treat reunification and trauma recovery for these children as a global moral imperative.

“We must ensure that emotional support and psychological healing are seen as essential forms of aid—not secondary to food or shelter, but part of what it means to truly protect children,” said Prof. Segal.

The authors stress that while this case involves identical twins, the harm of family separation in war extends to all children. They advocate for long-term research and support systems for affected families, and for a deeper acknowledgment of the emotional toll borne by children exposed to war and captivity.

The research paper titled “Children Subjected to Forced Separation and Wartime Trauma: Focus on Hostage Twins in the Hamas-Israel War” is now available in the International Journal on Child Maltreatment and can be accessed here.

Researchers:

Prof. Ariel Knafo-Noam¹, Prof. Nancy L. Segal²

Institutions:

1. Psychology Department, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. Psychology Department and Twin Studies Center, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA