Laying to Rest Friends and Updating Lists of the Deceased: The Grim Routine of Evacuees Who Escaped a Massacre by Hamas

For the survivors displaced from Kibbutz Be’eri, the therapeutic properties of the Dead Sea’s salty waters offer little solace for their overwhelming grief.

Over two weeks have elapsed since Hamas militants carried out an attack that resulted in the death of more than 100 individuals from the kibbutz community, comprising approximately 1,100 members. Scores were tortured, and 10 were abducted. The Israeli government has since moved the majority of these residents to a high-end resort situated amid the rugged cliffs encircling the Dead Sea, nearly 1,000 feet (305 meters) below sea level.

Each day brings a somber routine for the survivors. In repurposed tour buses now serving as funeral vehicles, they attend multiple memorial services. They are forced to bury their friends and relatives in provisional graveyards as their local cemetery in Be’eri is currently within a restricted military zone. Each evening, they convene to hear the day’s updates, where leaders announce names that have transitioned from missing to deceased.

“We exist as refugees in our homeland,” says Nir Shani, a 46-year-old physical therapist who, along with five family members, has resided in two rooms of the hotel for the past fortnight. They continue to await news about Amit, Shani’s 16-year-old son, currently a hostage in the Gaza Strip.

Shani’s residence was set ablaze by militants while he was still inside, resulting in the loss of all his possessions. He now relies on donated clothing.

The evacuees from Be’eri constitute a fraction of the 50,000-plus individuals who have been relocated from southern Israel since Hamas’s rampage on October 7, which claimed over 1,400 lives. Israel has responded with extensive aerial bombardments of Gaza, leading to the death of over 5,700 Palestinians, a figure reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry but not independently verified by external sources.

Residents from the former kibbutz express hesitation about returning unless Hamas, which has governed Gaza for the last 16 years, is removed from power. This sentiment casts uncertainty over the future of once-prosperous communities in southern Israel. Some analysts argue that even if Israel succeeds militarily, the void could be filled by other militant organizations.

While some displaced residents from other areas have opted to stay in their homes, those from Be’eri had no such option. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope: their community remains united, even as the country faces a shortage of hotel accommodations. According to the Israel Hotel Association, only about 3,000 rooms are still vacant nationwide.

At the David Dead Sea Resort & Spa, children find temporary reprieve in play, teenagers distract themselves with brief excursions, and teachers attempt to maintain a semblance of normalcy with improvised classes. Volunteer therapists are offering what has been termed as “mental first aid.”

Even amid these grim circumstances, symptoms of psychological trauma are emerging. “Currently, our main goal is to forestall the development of post-traumatic stress disorder,” says clinical psychologist Ruvi Dar.

Simon King, a 59-year-old landscaper, found the initial hotel accommodations comforting but soon felt disoriented by the contrast with the surrounding crisis. “Reality soon catches up. Everywhere you turn, people are in distress,” King remarks.

When the attack occurred, King and his family endured 26 hours confined in a dark, safe room with no access to food or water. They were eventually rescued by Israeli forces.

For families like Shani’s, each day is marked by uncertainty as they await news of their kidnapped relatives. “It’s a crime against humanity,” states Shani, whose children and ex-wife were forcibly removed from their home by Hamas militants.

Despite some structures still standing, the kibbutz remains uninhabitable. Recovery efforts are ongoing, but the community’s future is uncertain. Many residents feel that the government has failed them. “We believed they were our protectors,” King laments.

Contributed by Sam McNeil from Kibbutz Be’eri.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hamas Massacre Survivors

More about Hamas Massacre Survivors

• Israel-Hamas Conflict Overview
• History of Kibbutz Be’eri
• Psychological Impact of Armed Conflicts
• Israel’s Military Response Strategies
• Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza
• Role of the Israeli Government in Crisis Management
• Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Overview of Israeli-Palestinian Relations
• Evacuation Procedures During Armed Conflicts
• Legal Aspects of Kidnapping and Hostage Situations in International Law