Hero of October 7 Faces Home Demolitions for His Family

Yousef Al-Zayadenah, a bus driver who is credited with saving Israelis at the Nova music festival on October 7, is now facing the demolition of homes belonging to his family members in the Al-Zayadenah area north of Rahat. The demolitions began on the same day as the official commemoration of the October 7 attacks.

Al-Zayadenah described the situation as bitter, telling "Yom Jadid" on Radio Al-Shams that bulldozers started demolishing one family home early in the morning. He stated that authorities are preparing to demolish other structures in the area, including one connected to his brother's sheep farm. He noted that approximately 45 homes in the area are at risk of demolition, and that one family member's home had already been demolished previously.

The Al-Zayadenah family has resided in the area since before the establishment of Israel. The current dispute centers on land and planning issues, specifically regarding the allocation of building spaces. Al-Zayadenah mentioned ongoing negotiations with authorities concerning the "Rahat North" plan, with disagreements over the size of land allocated to residents. Despite the lack of a final agreement, demolition operations have commenced.

Al-Zayadenah recounted his experience on October 7, emphasizing that he did not consider the identity of those needing rescue, but rather acted out of basic humanity. He left his wife and seven children to go to the Nova site after receiving calls for help, and he claims to have rescued over 30 people. He described facing significant danger, including gunfire and pursuit, during his journey to the festival site.

He expressed deep bitterness that his actions on October 7 have not been reflected in how authorities are treating his family. Al-Zayadenah criticized the current government's approach to Negev Arabs, stating that the demolitions do not show appreciation for the contributions of the Arab community during the attacks. He attempted to contact officials about the demolitions but was reportedly passed between departments, while the bulldozers continued their work. He stressed that residents are seeking a legal and planning solution to remain on their land, not special privileges, and that negotiations are still underway.