The streets of the kibbutz Nir Oz They have become a museum of horror. On October 7, 2023, at 6:29 a.m., while some of the 3,000 rockets launched that day from the Gaza Stripthe terrorists of Hamas They forced the access door and turned this idyllic community of 417 inhabitants and located just 1.6 kilometers from Khan Yunis – a city in the south of Gaza – into a hell. The Army did not arrive until 12:30. 47 people were murdered, another 70 were kidnapped and all but 6 homes were attacked. A year and almost two months later, Nir Oz wants to rise from the ashes and plans his reconstruction.
“October 7 was one of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) biggest security and intelligence failures,” he admits. Ronnie Kaplancaptain and spokesman of the Hebrew Army before a group of journalists during a visit to Nir Oz. After the mea culpa, Kaplan remembers the story of some of the victims of that tragic day, such as the family Drinkwhose four members – Shiri, Yarden and little Kfir and Ariel, aged 8 months and 4 years, respectively – were kidnapped and, according to Hamas, have died in Gaza. Or that of the Siman Tov –Tamar, Yonatan and their children, the twins Shahar and Arbel, 5 years old, and Omer, 2 –, all five murdered in their home.
Of the 70 kibbutz residents taken hostage, 40 were freed during the only cease-fire in these almost 430 days of war, between November 24 and December 1, 2023. Today there are 29 residents left in Gazaof whom 10 are believed to be dead, according to Kaplan.
Time in Nir Oz seems to have stopped on October 7, 2023. Kitchens to be cleared, toys scattered in the gardens, doors with bullet holes and a blanket of silence that covers everything, broken only by the sound of the leaves of the trees swaying by a light breeze. Today only seven people live there, six men and one woman. But that is in the process of changing.
Traumatized residents
The Hamas attack, in addition to taking lives, destroyed this community. The dead and the kidnapped represent almost 20% of the 417 inhabitants that the 7-O had. Many are traumatized. But a few weeks ago, an overwhelming majority, more than 92% of the residents, expressed themselves in favor of returning, as explained to EL PERIÓDICO. Irit Lahavspokesman for the kibbutz. More recently, on November 12, they agreed in a new vote on its reconstruction, which, together with the return of its people, will be “a real and significant victory over what has happened and continues to happen,” they stated in a statement.
The work ahead is enormous. “60% of the homes are completely destroyed“says Lahav, before detailing that bricks will not begin to be laid until 2026. First, the projects must be carried out to reconstruct some 250 homes, already in the hands of an architectural firm. The objective is to prioritize sustainabilitythat the pmain source of energy is solar and the water is reusedto minimize the carbon footprint.
“On December 12 we will hold a ceremony and the houses and buildings that must be rebuilt from scratch will be demolished. And we estimate that in three years the entire kibbutz will be rebuilt,” adds this resident.
It is also necessary to resolve the economic part. The Government has promised them a game, but the members of Nir Oz consider that it is “insufficient“. The relationship of the kibbutz with the Executive of Benjamin Netanyahu It’s not one of the best. Many residents are extremely critical of the management of the war and are upset with Netanyahu, who has not responded to an invitation to visit the town, which other members of the Executive have visited.
bulletproof doors
“The proposed budget is not enough to put bulletproof doors in the safe rooms,” says Lahav. On October 7, many residents, including this spokesperson, discovered that those doors behind which they took refuge when there were rocket attacks did not protect them from the rifle projectiles fired by the terrorists. To compensate for the meager government budget, they have launched a campaign to obtain donations.
The return home will be progressive. The youngest will do it first, who will surely settle in the least damaged area and without waiting for everything to be finished. But he fear will be a very important factor in the future of Nir Oz. To this day, some residents do not want to return. “I myself am afraid to return,” confesses Lahav, who assures that it will depend on many factors, including whether there is an agreement with Hamas. However, in three years things can change a lot. “When the kibbutz is rebuilt and beautiful, perhaps many will change their minds.”
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