Ex-Hostage Gadi Moses Criticizes Israeli Government Security Guarantees

Three years after the October 7th massacre, former hostage Gadi Moses has voiced strong criticism regarding the Israeli state's failure to provide adequate security guarantees for residents of border communities, including his own kibbutz, Nir Oz. Moses, who was abducted from Nir Oz and taken to Gaza on October 7, 2023, stated that residents continue to live in "constant fear." He asserts that despite ongoing IDF operations in Gaza, civilians living near the border lack sufficient information about the security situation and protective measures. Moses feels the residents of Nir Oz are not adequately involved in decisions concerning their safety and have no assurances that a repeat of the October 7th attack is impossible.

Moses also expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, feeling disregarded by the premier despite his traumatic experience. He demanded to be treated as a citizen with equal rights whose security concerns should be heard. The former hostage also addressed the issue of a state commission of inquiry into the failures preceding and during the massacre. He believes Netanyahu's opposition to such a commission exacerbates societal divisions and erodes public trust.

Nir Oz was one of the communities most severely impacted by the October 7th attack, with dozens of residents killed or taken hostage by Hamas. As Israel holds commemoration ceremonies, Moses's statements highlight the persistent security anxieties among residents of Gaza-border localities.