Sha'ar HaNegev Council Head: Trust Shattered on October 7th
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, stated that trust was "shattered to pieces" on October 7th following the Hamas attack, during which he lost five family members. He described the harrowing events and the feeling of abandonment, emphasizing the need for truth and an investigation to rebuild confidence. Epstein discussed the ongoing rehabilitation of communities like Kfar Aza, stressing the importance of building a new future and the state's role in providing long-term certainty and security.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Trust was shattered on October 7th, requiring an investigation to rebuild it, according to Uri Epstein.
- Uri Epstein, head of Sha'ar HaNegev, lost five family members in the October 7th Hamas attack.
- Residents felt abandoned, with IDF forces arriving late to the Sha'ar HaNegev area.
- Rehabilitation efforts focus on building a new future, not just restoring the past.
- The state must provide long-term certainty and security for residents to rebuild their lives.
Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, described the profound loss and sense of abandonment experienced by residents following the October 7th Hamas attack. Epstein, who lost five family members, recounted the harrowing events of that day, including the incessant rocket fire and the sounds of gunfire that signaled an invasion. He detailed his desperate attempts to communicate with his son, Netta, who was murdered along with his fiancée, and his subsequent discovery of his son's body. Epstein also shared the difficult conversation he had with his 12-year-old daughter, Alma, explaining the ongoing danger and his commitment to their survival.
Speaking on the radio program 103FM, Epstein expressed a feeling of being left unprotected, noting the late arrival of IDF forces in his area. He emphasized that the trust in security forces was "shattered to pieces" on October 7th and stressed the critical need for an investigation to rebuild that trust. He stated that while the military is operating in Gaza and security is perceived as better than before October 7th, residents need truth and long-term certainty from the state.
Epstein discussed the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, distinguishing between physical and mental recovery. He highlighted that the focus must be on building a new future rather than just restoring what was lost, acknowledging that the trauma of October 7th will remain. He asserted that residents need to feel secure and have their trust restored, which he believes can only be achieved through a factual inquiry, such as a state commission.
He concluded by outlining the state's responsibilities: providing long-term certainty, stability, and consistent support for treatments and budgets, which will take years. Epstein stated that the residents, in turn, are committed to rebuilding their communities, developing the economy, industry, and education system, and finding meaning in their lives alongside security and the ability to build a future.
