Gaza Border Survivor Family Returns Home After October 7th Trauma
Translated & summarized from Channel 13 by baba
The Breiter family returned to their home in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom in July after being evacuated on October 7th. Mother Michel Breiter, who survived 12.5 hours in a safe room with her infant son, decided to return despite the trauma. Her daughter Yarin, 6, also shared her fear but expressed love for their home. The family's return signifies a determination to rebuild and remain on their land, despite the lingering memories and changed atmosphere.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Breiter family returned to their home in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom in July after the October 7th attacks.
- Michel Breiter and her family survived 12.5 hours in a safe room during the Hamas attack.
- Her infant son Bar was only 10 days old during the terrifying ordeal.
- Daughter Yarin, 6, described the fear but expressed her love for their kibbutz home.
- The family's return reflects a determination to rebuild and remain despite the trauma.
The Breiter family has returned to their home in Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, near the Gaza border, after months of evacuation and subsequent home and community rebuilding. Michel Breiter, a mother of four who, along with her family and her 10-day-old infant son Bar, survived 12.5 hours in a safe room on October 7, 2023, made the difficult decision to return and rebuild their lives.
"We knew we would return, we were just waiting for the right moment," she stated, explaining the family and community decision that blends the trauma of displacement with renewed resilience and Zionism. During the harrowing hours in the safe room, Michel grappled with intense maternal anxiety for her young children, especially Bar, who was only 10 days old. As terrorists raided the kibbutz, the family prepared emergency plans, fearing their baby might make noise. Michel shared, "We decided to hide the older children in closets and stay with the younger ones."
The family's experience occurred against the backdrop of intense fighting, as the kibbutz's security team and members battled the infiltrators. Michel described the overwhelming odds, stating, "We are a very small kibbutz, 150 terrorists against 74 kibbutz members," recalling the heroic battle and the helicopter that ultimately saved the community.
Her 6-year-old daughter, Yarin, also shared her perspective on the terrifying morning, recalling waking up to loud noises and the fear in the safe room. "Dad kept getting up and bringing us food. We were afraid of the booms," Yarin recounted. After their ordeal, the family evacuated to Eilat, but despite the trauma, Yarin expressed her deep connection to their home, saying, "I love the kibbutz, it's my home."
The family's return highlights a complex emotional landscape for life in the kibbutz today. While communal celebrations and holidays are now tinged with sadness and memories of what was before October 7th, there is an unwavering determination to remain and continue building their lives. Michel asserted that she has no reason to leave her home despite the terror they experienced, drawing a parallel to how people did not abandon homes in Tel Aviv when buses were bombed, stating, "No one sold their apartments on Rothschild when buses were exploding, so there's no reason for me to leave my home."
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