Nearly a year after the devastating Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, residents of Kibbutz Be’eri continue to grapple with the tragic loss of over 100 of our neighbors. The kibbutz, once a symbol of peaceful coexistence, now stands as a silent testament to the destruction wrought upon this tight-knit community.
101 residents were killed, and 30 others were taken hostage during an attack, shaking Be’eri to its core. Community, built on ideals of collective living, has been left both physically and emotionally shattered. Scars left behind are everywhere. Burnt homes, bullet-ridden walls, and black banners that adorn houses to honor those who were murdered or kidnapped remind residents of the horror they endured.
Surviving members of the community, many of whom hid in safe rooms during an attack, are still struggling to find a way forward. Most have not yet returned to live in Be’eri. Some survivors commute daily to the kibbutz for work but cannot bring themselves to stay overnight, haunted by memories of violence. For many, the kibbutz now feels unfamiliar and fragmented – a far cry from the collective spirit that once defined it.
Memories of That Day Still Haunt Survivors
Dafna Gerstner, who grew up in Be’eri, survived an attack by barricading herself in a safe room with her disabled father and his caregiver. Ir house was set on fire, yet miraculously survived. But her brother, a member of the kibbutz’s emergency response team, was not as fortunate, killed while defending the community.
“You look to left and it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s my friend who lost her parents.’ You look to the right, ‘It’s my friend who lost her far.’ It’s everywhere you look,” Dafna said, reflecting on the overwhelming sense of loss that permeates every part of the kibbutz.
The streets of Be’eri may seem quiet, but trauma is palpable. The nursery, petting zoo, and once lively play park now stand empty. Children have not returned, and even animals have been relocated to safer areas. Few who have come back, like Simon King and Rami Gold, have made it our mission to ensure tragedy is remembered. y lead tours through burnt-out remains of the kibbutz, sharing our stories with visitors, though some residents are uncomfortable with the idea.
A Fractured Future
While many survivors remain in temporary prefabricated homes at anor kibbutz, Hatzerim, about 40 kilometers away, the question of whether Be’eri can ever fully rebuild looms large. Life in Hatzerim is a stark contrast to green lawns and the sense of belonging Be’eri once offered. Shir Guttentag, a single man who barely escaped the attack with her two daughters, says that while she continues to work in Be’eri, the thought of living again feels distant.
“I don’t know what needs to happen, but something drastic, so I can feel safe again,” she admitted.
Like many others, Shir still revisits trauma every day, unsure when or if life will ever feel normal again. But for now, residents are doing what they can to hold on – watering lawns, fixing fences, and waiting for the day when they might feel safe enough to return to a place, they once called home.
A Community Tested Like Never Before
Established in 1946, Kibbutz Be’eri was once known for its left-leaning views and strong advocacy for peace with Palestinians. However, the attack has profoundly shaken the kibbutz’s values. Those who once championed peace now find it harder to cling to those ideals, with many residents feeling disillusioned in the wake of such overwhelming violence.
Despite challenges, the spirit of collective resilience remains. Residents, both old and new, are determined to rebuild – even as the question of whether Be’eri will ever truly recover remains unanswered.
As the anniversary of the attack approaches, the people of Be’eri are still searching for closure, grappling with the trauma of what they have lost, and uncertain about the future. Yet amid the devastation, y continues to rebuild – a testament to its enduring spirit of survival.
