All articles tagged with #kibbutz
Following two years of conflict and the October 7 Hamas attack, some Israelis are moving to the Gaza border to rebuild and advocate for peace, while others remain traumatized or refuse to return, reflecting a divided society grappling with safety, trauma, and the hope for peace.
Argentine President Javier Milei visited an Israeli kibbutz ravaged by Hamas, describing the October 7 massacre as "21st century Nazism" and expressing his support for Israel in its fight against terrorism and antisemitism. Milei, known for his far-right views and interest in Judaism, likened the methods used in the attack to the atrocities of the Holocaust, emphasizing his solidarity with Israel in the face of such threats.
Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump visited the Israeli kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was devastated by a terrorist attack on October 7th. The couple met with IDF soldiers and local residents, listening to their stories and witnessing the destruction caused by Hamas. They were visibly moved and tearful during the visit. At the end of the tour, they presented commemorative medallions to those who defended the kibbutz. This visit follows other high-profile figures, such as Jerry Seinfeld, visiting kibbutzim affected by the attack.
Elon Musk visited Israel, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, as well as visiting a kibbutz destroyed by Hamas. Musk expressed support for Israel's efforts to neutralize Hamas and called for a prosperous Gaza. The visit comes after Musk endorsed an antisemitic post on his social media platform, which led to backlash and a loss of advertisers. Musk met with families of hostages held by Hamas and expressed concern for their plight. The visit coincides with a pause in hostilities with Hamas, during which hostages have been released.
Elon Musk visited a kibbutz in Israel on 7 October, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Over 126,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes following the Hamas attack on Kfar Aza and other communities near the Gaza border. The evacuation and accommodation efforts have been described as unprecedented and complicated, costing 5.2 million shekels a week. Displaced Israelis are currently residing in hotels across the country, receiving support from charities and volunteers. The task of rebuilding the communities and restoring a sense of safety will require significant resources and time.
Hashim al-Birawi, a Gazan who worked in Israeli kibbutzim for 40 years, was killed on Oct. 7 when the van he was in, along with six other Gazan workers and a Palestinian driver, came under fire near the Gaza fence. Al-Birawi's brother wants to clear his name and give him a proper burial in Gaza, as reports have labeled the workers as "Hamas gunmen." Israeli farmers who knew al-Birawi describe him as a kind and helpful person. Israeli authorities have arrested over 3,000 Palestinians from Gaza who were working in Israel on Oct. 7, and reports suggest they were tortured and abused while in detention.
Israeli volunteers from the ZAKA International Rescue Unit are helping to clean up and analyze the aftermath of a surprise attack by Hamas fighters on a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip on October 7. Thirteen people were killed in the attack, and many bodies have yet to be identified due to severe burns. The volunteers describe the scene as unimaginable and heartbreaking, with homes destroyed and personal belongings scattered. The area remains heavily guarded due to ongoing rocket attacks from Gaza.
Werner Braun's 1956 photos capture the early days of Kibbutz Nahal Oz, located near Gaza, before it was devastated by a recent attack by Hamas. The images showcase the kibbutz's growth from barren fields, providing a glimpse into its history.
Kibbutzim, communal and voluntary societies in Israel, have historically been centered around agriculture and shared resources. In recent years, many kibbutzim have transitioned to more cooperative models, but they still face security challenges, particularly along the Gaza border. In a recent attack, Hamas targeted several kibbutzim, resulting in the deaths of Israeli residents and the kidnapping of others. The attacks highlight the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as the vulnerability of these communities located near the border.
A visit to kibbutz Nir Oz reveals the horrifying aftermath of a deadly attack by Hamas on innocent farmer families. The scene includes an upturned child's cot surrounded by a pool of blood, signs of torture on the bodies of the victims, and evidence of a family being executed with bullets. Witnesses recount the gruesome details, including missing body parts, burnt bodies, and the stomach of a pregnant woman being butchered open. Forensic pathologists confirm the extent of the atrocities, with disfigured bodies and remains of children who were tied up when murdered. The accounts provide compelling evidence of war crimes committed by Hamas.
Hamas militants attempted a carefully planned attack on the Israeli kibbutz of Mefalsim, near the Gaza border, but were foiled by a group of volunteer guards who engaged in dramatic firefights. Israeli officials say that Hamas had collected detailed intelligence on their targets, as evidenced by recovered attack plans. The documents revealed that Hamas had knowledge of the kibbutz's security measures and aimed to inflict maximum casualties. Despite the chaos during the attack and the unexpected lack of resistance from the Israeli military, the plans did not fully materialize. The attack on another nearby kibbutz, Sa'ad, was also thwarted. The level of detail in the planning documents suggests that Hamas had human sources inside Israel, and experts argue that inflicting civilian casualties was a central part of the group's mission.
Hamas terrorists attacked and killed families, including beheading children, at the Kfar Aza kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. Amidst the horrifying scene, twin babies less than a year old were miraculously found unharmed because their parents had hidden them before being murdered. The couple fought fiercely to protect their children but were brutally killed. Over 1,200 Israelis have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in the ongoing conflict, while in Gaza, over 1,200 people, including hundreds of children, have been killed by Israel's counter-attacks.
Kibbutzim, communal living communities unique to Israel, have played a significant role in the nation's history and culture. Rooted in socialist and Marxist ideas, early kibbutzim were experiments in voluntary socialism, rejecting capitalism for a more socialist society. While most kibbutzim have transitioned away from communal living, they still maintain a peaceful and idyllic reputation. However, kibbutzim near the Gaza border have recently experienced unprecedented violence, with residents being killed and taken hostage in the recent Hamas attacks.
The Israeli kibbutz of Kfar Aza was attacked by Hamas fighters, resulting in the deaths of Israeli civilians, soldiers, foreign workers, and Palestinian fighters. The Israeli army cautiously entered the kibbutz to assess the damage and recover the bodies. The destruction and evidence of the battle were evident throughout the area, with weapons, bullet casings, and burned-out cars scattered around. The final death toll has not been released, and the army continued to search for potential explosives.