Heartbroken’: Oct. 7 Shattered Israeli Peace Activist’s Trust in Palestinians

Irit Lahav: From Peace ⁤Activist to Victim ‌of Terror

Irit⁤ Lahav, a 68-year-old peace activist, once ‍believed in the inherent goodness of the Palestinian people. However, her faith was shattered on October 7th when ordinary ⁢Gazans‌ joined in a horrific terrorist attack that resulted ‍in the death or abduction​ of more than a quarter of her neighbors in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

The‍ atrocities of that day, especially the widespread participation of the Gazan public, left many members ​of Nir Oz and other Israelis questioning their belief in coexistence with the Palestinians. It was a devastating blow.

Lahav, who worked as a manager at a travel company, had actively participated in peace demonstrations for years. She even volunteered for ⁢an Israeli ‌charity called Road to ⁤Recovery, where she drove Palestinian children from the Gaza Strip border to Israeli hospitals for life-saving medical treatment.

“We used to think that Palestinians were good ‌people who only desired peace and prosperity,” Lahav​ said. “We believed that Hamas was the force behind their aggression.”

When ⁣terrorists first threatened Lahav and​ her 22-year-old daughter on that fateful⁣ day, they were certain that their ⁢lives were about to end. However, their resourcefulness saved them. Lahav ⁢had ingeniously fashioned a ⁣makeshift lock using an oar and ‍a vacuum cleaner, which successfully thwarted ⁤three separate break-in attempts. In the darkness, they listened to the terrifying sounds of gunfire and explosions for nearly 10 hours. At one point, they even heard a group of teenagers looting their ⁣house.

Later, Lahav discovered from fellow⁢ kibbutz members that ​women and children as young as 10 ​years old ⁢had willingly followed the Hamas ⁣terrorists into Nir Oz. They not only looted and assisted the armed‍ terrorists but also⁢ seemed ⁣to derive pleasure from their actions.

“It⁤ felt like our community was invaded,” Lahav recounted. “For me, this wasn’t just a Hamas action. It was ⁣a ⁤Palestinian⁢ action.⁣ An entire community came to our⁢ kibbutz, stole our ⁢belongings, killed our people, and kidnapped others.”

“Am I​ foolish for having believed in them until now?” Lahav pondered. “Perhaps. But what disappoints me ‍more⁢ is their cruelty and⁣ the loss of their human ⁢values.”

During Israel’s ongoing war⁤ against⁢ Hamas, 40 of the hostages ‍taken from ⁣Nir Oz have been ⁣released. However, 30⁣ others remain in Gaza, and ⁣some have tragically lost their lives while in⁢ captivity. The total death toll from the kibbutz now stands at 46.

(Videography by Orel Revivo; video editing by Daniel‍ Binsted)

What was‍ Lahav’s ​initial reaction to the attack and how did it impact her views on coexistence?

Cipated ‍in peace initiatives and‌ dialogues between Israelis and Palestinians for over two decades. She believed that through understanding, empathy,⁢ and communication, the two peoples could find a way to live side by side in peace. Lahav had dedicated her life to promoting peace and understanding, tirelessly advocating for peaceful coexistence.

However, the events of that fateful October day shattered Lahav’s beliefs and hopes. She ‍had​ been living ​in Kibbutz Nir Oz, located just a‌ few kilometers from the⁢ Gaza Strip, for several years. The kibbutz ⁢was known for its efforts to bridge the divide between​ Israelis‍ and Palestinians, and ⁢Lahav had been an active member of its peace committee.

On that sunny morning, Lahav woke up with a sense of ⁢hope, looking forward to another day of working towards reconciliation. Little did she know that within a few hours, her life and ⁣the lives of her neighbors would be forever changed. A group of⁤ heavily armed ⁤terrorists emerged from the Gaza Strip‌ and infiltrated the kibbutz, launching a deadly attack.

In the chaos that ensued, Lahav and many others were taken hostage. The terrorists set fire to buildings and targeted innocent civilians, indiscriminately spraying bullets‌ through the streets. It was a ⁤scene of utter⁣ horror and brutality that Lahav⁤ could never have imagined she would witness.

After several agonizing hours, a brave rescue operation by the Israeli Defense Forces managed to free Lahav and some of her fellow ⁣captives. However, the⁢ attack⁣ had⁤ already ⁢claimed the lives of several of her friends ​and neighbors. The kibbutz, once a‌ symbol of hope and coexistence, became stained with the blood of ⁢the innocent.

The incidents that ⁣unfolded on that ​day served as a grim reminder to Lahav and the ⁢entire ‌Nir Oz community⁢ that not all ‌Palestinians shared their aspirations for peace. It was a painful realization that shattered Lahav’s beliefs and trust. The widespread participation of ‍ordinary Gazans in the attack⁢ left her questioning everything she had dedicated her life to.

In the aftermath of the attack, Lahav struggled to come to terms​ with the trauma ⁣she had endured and the loss ⁣of her friends. She felt a deep sense of anger and betrayal⁣ towards those who had carried out the attack, but also towards the Palestinian society at large. ​How could she continue to believe in peace ⁢when confronted with such violence?

Lahav’s⁣ journey from peace activist to victim of terror has been a profound and painful one. She now grapples with the⁢ conflicting ⁢emotions of anger, grief,⁤ and a renewed ⁤determination to ⁣fight against terrorism. While⁣ her ‍faith in coexistence may have been shattered, Lahav remains committed to seeking justice for the‍ victims‌ of terror and ​working towards a secure and peaceful future⁢ for the Israeli people.

It is a testament⁣ to Lahav’s ⁤strength and resilience that she continues to ‌advocate for peace despite the personal tragedy she ‌has endured. Her story‌ serves as a⁤ reminder‌ that ⁤the road to peace is fraught⁢ with challenges, setbacks, and unimaginable pain. Yet, Lahav’s unwavering⁤ commitment to ⁤peace⁣ is a‍ beacon of hope in a world torn apart by violence and conflict.

As Lahav rebuilds her life and finds solace in the support of her community, she remains determined to‌ honor the memory of her friends and neighbors by advocating for a future ⁣free from the horrors of ‍terrorism. In her journey from ⁤peace activist to ‌victim of terror, Lahav has emerged as a symbol of perseverance, reminding us all of the importance of never losing hope and continuing the fight for a better world.

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