Tens of thousands of Israelis remain displaced, far from their homes, three and a half months after the October 7 attacks. But a few are beginning to resettle in kibbutz targets of Hamas terrorists.
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On October 7, in Kfar Aza, a kibbutz located one and a half kilometers from the Gaza Strip, 62 residents were killed and 19 taken hostage. Before the Hamas terrorist attack, 900 Israelis lived in these low houses surrounded by palm trees and succulents. Today, Shahar Schnurman and his wife Ayelet are the only ones occupying their pretty shaded terrace. “It is our houseexplains Shahar. This is where we need to be. The real question would be why did we have to leave? ? How did the country let such a thing happen, for us to be kicked out of our homes? ?”
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The couple, without children, resettled in Kfar Aza a month ago, despite the ban imposed by the army and material difficulties. “Today, you no longer meet anyone in the aislessays Shahar. Everything you did before in the kibbutz, you have to do outside. Shopping, medical care, everything.”
“Life is a little harder. You feel a little more alone. But on the other hand, it’s very rewarding because you’re home.”
Shahar Schnurmanat franceinfo
“Between one thing and the other, time passes quickly, we don’t get bored, on the contrary, there are many things to doexplains Ayelet. Little by little, people heard that we were there. So they ask us to go to their house to collect things, feed cats, things like that.”
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In the aisle a couple passes, pulling a suitcase. The woman explains that she simply came to get things for her elderly parents, that they don’t have the strength to come back, that it’s too hard. “These memories will accompany me wherever I amexplains Shahar. I know all the people murdered by my neighbor, my best friend in the kibbutz, or the son of another neighbor. I honor the victims by staying here, because I guard this place. I make sure that he continues to live at least a little. I hope that when others see that it’s possible, they will come back.”
“We will rebuild this place, it will be different but I hope as good as before October 7.”
Shahar Schnurmanat franceinfo
Shahar sits down again, slowly, revealing, on the inside of his right arm, the tattoo of this date: 7/10/2023.