Kibbutz Nir Oz suffered the most in the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7th, with 117 people, approximately a quarter of the kibbutz community, either kidnapped or killed. The Khirbet Ahza’a municipal building, which served as a base for the Hamas and Nokhaba terrorists that attacked the kibbutzim, has been completely destroyed, and the flags of Israel and Nir Oz now fly over it. The entire neighborhood has also been devastated.
The area commander of the 5th Brigade, Lt. Col. Roi Elbaz, stated that the Nir Oz factory, Nirlat, was significantly damaged during the attack. Col. Tal Kuritsky, the commander of the 5th Brigade, described the location as a “complete terrorist infrastructure” and emphasized the ongoing fighting against the remaining terrorists in the area.
The decision to allow the residents of Nir Oz to return to their homes has been met with opposition, as the security of the residents is of utmost importance to the fighters in the area. Col. Kuritsky emphasized the efforts to create a secure environment for the residents as close to the fence as possible.
The fighters involved in the conflict have been away from their families for almost 90 days and expressed their longing for home. Lt. Col. Elbaz conveyed a message to the public, expressing the desire to return to a peaceful and safe country after the battle is over.
Despite the hardships and challenges faced in the conflict, the commanders and fighters are united in their determination to protect their people and move forward in a positive direction.
The devastation caused by the terrorist attack and the ongoing fight against remaining terrorists highlights the resilience and determination of the Israeli people in the face of adversity.