Oct. 7 families, one year later

THE HAMAS ATTACK OF OCT. 7 marked the start of the bloodiest war in the history of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict-and was also the day hundreds of families learned the devastating news that their loved ones were either killed or missing.

- ANNA GORDON

Since then, of the 251 who were taken into Gaza, 105 hostages have been freed via negotiations with Hamas. Eight others were rescued during daring but deadly operations. At least 35 hostages have also been confirmed dead since the war began, and approximately 100 remain in captivity one year later.

Last year, for a cover story released in the aftermath of the attack, TIME spoke with over a dozen family members and close friends of those who were kidnapped. Featured on that cover were Jonathan Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was abducted at the Nova music festival; he was slain in late August.

Now, one year later, photographer Michal Chelbin, who created the portraits for that story, visited with three of the families to see how their lives have changed since Oct. 7. Two have been fortunate enough to see their loved ones return home, though the trauma lingers. One family, whose son is believed to remain a hostage in Gaza, is-like so many others still waiting. These are their words, edited for length and clarity. With reporting and production by ODED PLOTNIZKI

Keren Schem

Keren Schem's daughter Mia Schem was kidnapped from the Nova music festival. Fifty-five days into her captivity, Mia (right) was freed in a prisonerexchange deal with Hamas.