Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, shares his harrowing experience of loss and betrayal during the October 7th attacks. He reflects on the shifting dynamics of relationships with Gaza residents amidst conflict. Meanwhile, Hussein Owda, a Palestinian man from Gaza, recounts the struggles of multiple displacements and the dire living conditions he faces while clinging to hopes of peace. Both men express deep concern for their futures, illustrating the personal toll and emotional weight of ongoing violence and the longing for coexistence.
Golan Abitbul's perspective on Palestinian relationships drastically shifted from trust to suspicion following the trauma of the October 7th attack.
Hussein Owda's struggle in Gaza illustrates the dire conditions faced by civilians, emphasizing resilience amidst constant displacement and resource scarcity.
Deep dives
The Transformative Impact of October 7th
The attack on October 7th dramatically changed perspectives on relationships between Israelis and Palestinians, particularly for those who were directly affected, like Golan Abitbol. Living in a kibbutz that was hit hard, Golan witnessed unprecedented violence, including the death of friends and neighbors, which shattered his previous beliefs in coexistence. The trauma of the event has led him to reassess his view of Palestinians, changing from seeing many as friends to viewing them all with suspicion and anger. This shift marks a significant transformation in his worldview, where hope for peaceful solutions has largely dissipated, indicating the profound emotional scars left by the violence.
Life After the Conflict: Golan's Struggles
Following the attack, Golan and his family faced significant upheaval, relocating multiple times as they sought stability amidst chaos. Initially living in a hotel, the family struggled with grief and the challenges of adjusting to a new environment, particularly for his daughter who found it difficult to cope with the emotional weight of the situation. While they moved to Haifa, Golan felt torn between the idea of returning to his kibbutz and the realization that he may never regain that sense of community. Although he recognizes that their current living situation is better for his children, the ongoing grief and anger persist, revealing the deep scars that the tragedy has left behind.
Hussein's Hardship in Gaza
Hussein's life in Gaza has been marked by immense hardship and constant displacement since the onset of the conflict, reflecting the dire conditions faced by many civilians. After losing his newly renovated home and moving multiple times to find safety, he struggles to provide for his family, often resorting to collecting seawater for basic needs due to the lack of resources. Hussein made the tough decision to send his wife and children to Egypt for safety while he remained, incurring debt to ensure their well-being. His daily life emphasizes the emotional toll of separation and survival, highlighting both the resilience and despair felt by countless individuals in the region during this ongoing crisis.
Warning: this episode contains descriptions of war and trauma.
One year ago, Israel suffered the worst terrorist attack in its history. The conflict that followed has become bigger and deadlier by the day, killing tens of thousands of people and expanding from Gaza to Yemen, Lebanon and now Iran.
Today, we return to two men in Israel and Gaza, to hear how their lives have changed.
Guests: Golan Abitbul, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri, in southern Israel; and Hussein Owda, who was among more than a million people sheltering in Rafah.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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