In 1992 David and Tali Hatuel, a Jewish Israeli couple, moved from Ofakim, in southern Israel, to the Israeli settlement Katif located in the Gush Katif bloc in the Gaza Strip.[1] David Hatuel was familiar with Gush Katif having studied in a yeshiva there.[4] After 3 years the couple left for 18 months but returned once they had completed their studies.[2] Tali worked as a social worker with the Gaza Coast Regional Council.[9] Her work included counseling Israelis whose relatives had been killed in the conflict.[4] David worked as a school principal in Ashkelon.[9] They had four daughters and Tali was eight months pregnant with a son when she was killed.[4]