7 October, one year on: a return to kibbutz Nir Oz
Oct 7, 2024
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Bethan McKernan, a Guardian journalist specializing in Israel and Palestine, interviews Doreen Ray, a Nir Oz resident who survived the recent Hamas attack. They explore the profound impacts of the October 7 tragedy on the kibbutz community, contrasting its former joys with current traumas. Doreen shares her harrowing experience while discussing the emotional toll, struggles of hostage families, and the community's ongoing journey toward rebuilding and finding safety amid lingering fears and division.
The physical devastation of kibbutz Nir Oz serves as a haunting reminder of the violence and loss experienced by the community since October 7.
Survivors express feelings of abandonment and frustration over the government's perceived neglect in both the aftermath of the attack and ongoing hostage negotiations.
Deep dives
Destruction and Displacement in Near Oz
The kibbutz of Near Oz has been left largely in ruins since the attacks on October 7, with nearly every building sustaining damage or destruction. The once-vibrant community, home to around 400 residents, is now marked by blackened shells and scattered debris, creating a haunting atmosphere reminiscent of a disaster zone. Survivors reflect on the impact of the attack, feeling abandoned by their government during the crisis, which has heightened their sense of loss and desolation. The profound physical and emotional scars left by the violence serve as stark reminders of the day that changed their lives forever.
Life Before the Attacks
Before the violent attacks, residents of Near Oz described their kibbutz as a paradise defined by strong community ties and a deep connection to nature. Families regularly enjoyed communal meals and activities, fostering a safe environment where children felt free to play outdoors without constant supervision. Over the years, relationships with neighboring communities, even those in Gaza, flourished, highlighting a time when cross-border interactions were possible without fear. However, escalating tensions and the rise of Hamas strained these bonds, leading to an eventual isolation that dramatically transformed their way of life.
Continuing Hostage Crisis and Emotional Toll
The hostage situation remains critical, with many families still waiting for their loved ones to be returned from Gaza nearly a year after the attacks. Community members express their frustration and exhaustion, feeling abandoned both during the attack and in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages. They contend that the Israeli government's priorities have shifted away from these negotiations, leaving families feeling ignored and powerless. The emotional toll of uncertainty and grief lingers, as the memories of that horrific day and its aftermath continue to dominate their lives.
Bethan McKernan visits Nir Oz in southern Israel to talk to survivors about Hamas’s attack on 7 October last year, and to discuss what has happened to their kibbutz and the wider region since. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus
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