Nir Oz Kibbutz Chairman Says Most Residents Haven't Returned Amid Security Concerns

Retired Brigadier General Zvi (Tzviki) Tesler, chairman of the Nir Oz kibbutz near the Gaza border, spoke about the ongoing security challenges and slow recovery following recent attacks. Tesler warned against underestimating the current situation, emphasizing that the threat from incendiary balloons and kites launched from Gaza remains serious. He stressed that the border is not secure enough to protect the communities in the Gaza envelope area, which play a crucial role in Israel's security.

Tesler revealed that most residents of Nir Oz have yet to return to the kibbutz due to the trauma and destruction they endured. He noted a petition filed by three kibbutzim demanding government support to help displaced residents rebuild their lives elsewhere, as many cannot return to their homes. Tesler expressed surprise at how long the recovery has taken but remained hopeful about the kibbutz's future, mentioning interest from new families despite housing shortages.

Highlighting the deep psychological impact, Tesler said many former residents are unable to come back, regardless of reconstruction efforts or financial resources. He drew a poignant parallel to his mother, a Holocaust survivor who could never return to Auschwitz, underscoring the lasting scars of such traumatic experiences. Tesler concluded that rebuilding is not just about infrastructure but about the ability to live again in a place marked by unimaginable devastation.