Posted on 01/15/24
Jerusalem, Israel - Jan 15, 2024 - Solidarity missions and Sar-El volunteers have been arriving almost daily in Israel. Even during a war Israel did not start or want, people are arriving from around the world to offer support.
Thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded the southern Israeli border communities on October 7, Shabbat Simchat Torah morning. Today, Sunday, January 14, marks 100 days after the massacre which started an aggressive Israeli response.
The World Mizrachi Movement has been supporting solidarity missions for the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA). For the sixth RCA World Mizrachi Delegation to Israel, held from January 9-11, 2024, RCA rabbis in Israel and their spouses were invited to join.
On Wednesday, January 10, the bus of participants left from Jerusalem with a first stop at Kfar Aza. On October 7 over 70 Hamas terrorists attacked the kibbutz located less than 2 miles from the Gaza border, massacring residents and abducting hostages. The attack is notable for the brutality and destruction, especially of the housing closest to the fence for younger kibbutz members.
When one enters the gate of Kfar Aza the fields have been recently mowed. It looks lovely. However, there is a deadly silence, all the surviving inhabitants have been evacuated. Entering the winding kibbutz paths one sees, one house after another destroyed. Overripe fruits hang on the trees and oranges have begun to fall on the ground. The cement walls and shelters to protect from rockets were useless against the terrorists shooting and burning, out to murder as many Jews as possible.
Near the bullet-ridden destroyed home of murdered Sivan Elkabets, her father spoke briefly before Rabbi Reuven Tradburks led a memorial prayer.
One hundred days, 136 hostages remain captive in Gaza.
The residents of Kfar Aza are faced with a difficult decision, do they continue to have groups come through to view the destruction? Is it "terror tourism" or is it important to witness and document devastation in a world already in denial after only 100 days?
The photo essay is a glimpse into some of the devastation of property - the human lives lost can only be remembered.
