Exclusive | Baby who became symbol of Oct. 7 terror returns home to Israeli kibbutz

Ten-day-old Kai Labban was the newest and tiniest star of Kibbutz Nirim, an idyllic cooperative oasis one mile from the Gaza border, when a nightmare shattered their world on Oct.7, 2023. New parents Aimee and Uriel Labban were blissfully doting on their newborn baby boy when Hamas terrorists stormed their home and set it ablaze, trying to smoke out everyone inside.The Labbans’ sole focus was to save their precious, eight-pound, black-haired newborn, so they scrambled to their bedroom’s safe room and placed the tyke in the crevice of a windowsill.“I took the photo.

I thought that if we don’t survive, at least the world will know we did our best to try,” recalled Aimee, who shared the image in real time with family abroad — who then sent it to the media.Outside, Hamas’ elite Nukhba unit stormed the kibbutz on motorcycles and pickup trucks, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, and set fire to civilian homes and cars and shot at them.At least one terrorist stood outside the family home with an RPG slung over his shoulder.

Uriel held the door shut as the terrorists tried to yank the knob from the other side.Aimee said she doesn’t know why they never fired the RPG.For nine hours, the family fought for survival after the terrorists moved on to other victims.

The family was rescued by Israel Defense Forces troops, taken to an underground bunker and later to a hospital, where they were treated for severe smoke inhalation.Kai also developed blood poisoning and needed an oxygen tank for three days.“Even at 10 days old, he was a fighter,” his mom said.Meanwhile, Kai’s windowsill picture was already circulating around the world after extended family posted the heartbreaking image — which would go on to become an international symbol of hope as Kai became known as the youngest survivor of the Oct.

7 attacks.“We just tried to keep him alive,” Aimee, 33, told The Post on the near three-year anniversary of the savage attack that murdered 1,20...