In Video: Kibbutz Be'eri in Israel still bears the scars of Oct. 7, 2023
A Town in Mourning: Two Years After Hamas’s Devastating Assault
Frozen in Time
Two years have passed since Hamas launched a brutal and devastating attack on southern Israel. The small community of Kabutz Bere, with a pre-attack population of around a thousand residents, was hit hardest. The town was left reeling after 102 residents were killed and over 30 kidnapped. The scars of that fateful day still linger, and many residents say they’re unsure if they’ll ever return to this once-thriving community.
The Ores’ Tragic Story
Among the many families affected by the attack, the Ore family’s story stands out as a heart-wrenching example of the horrors faced by those in Kabutz Bere. The Ores were a family of four – a mother, father, and two children – who were trapped in their home as Hamas forces made their way through the streets, carrying out executions and setting fires. The family made a desperate bid to save their children, sending the kids running to what they thought was a safer location.
However, the children, instead of finding safety, were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. The parents, who stayed behind, met a tragic end. It was only after their release in a prisoner exchange that the family discovered the unfathomable truth – they were now orphans.
A Deadly Game of Survival
Every home in Kabutz Bere has a similar story of trauma and loss. Families were torn apart, and the very fabric of the community was left in tatters. The streets, once filled with laughter and life, are now a haunting reminder of the horrors that occurred. The residents who survived are left to pick up the pieces and try to rebuild, but the memory of that fateful day continues to cast a dark shadow over their lives.
A Road to Recovery?
As the community struggles to come to terms with the past, many residents are left wondering if they’ll ever be able to return to their homes. The memories and the sadness are simply too overwhelming. For some, the thought of stepping foot in Kabutz Bere again is unthinkable, a painful reminder of the memories they’d rather forget.
As the world mark’s the two-year anniversary of the devastating assault, the residents of Kabutz Bere remain frozen in time, unsure of what the future holds or if they’ll ever find the strength to heal and move on from the trauma they experienced.
