Most Residents Return to Israeli Border Kibbutz Kisufim Nearly Three Years After October 7 Massacre

Nearly three years after the devastating October 7 massacre, the kibbutz of Kisufim, located just 1.5 kilometers from the Gaza border, is witnessing a significant revival as the vast majority of its residents have returned. Temporary caravans and rebuilt permanent homes now stand where militants once attacked, with children riding bicycles and community facilities like the pool and pub reopening. This week marked a symbolic milestone with the reopening of kindergartens that were damaged during the attack.

According to the kibbutz, about 90 percent of survivors have officially returned, signaling a major step in the rehabilitation of the Gaza envelope communities. While families in nearby Holit have also begun returning, residents of Kfar Aza are expected to start moving back in about two months, with Bari planned for December and Nir Oz not until summer 2027. The October 7 attack claimed 20 lives in Kisufim, including 14 residents and six foreign workers. One victim, Shlomo Manzur, was kidnapped and murdered during the assault.

Manzur’s widow, Mazal, who recently moved back into a temporary caravan while awaiting the reconstruction of her destroyed home, shared emotional memories of the attack and her late husband. She emphasized her personal motivation to return: "I need my corner, the quiet, and of course to visit Shlomo’s grave here." The first wave of returnees began arriving in September 2025, including families like the Mozes family, who endured the attack locked in a safe room for over 30 hours. Aviyad Mozes, a former military officer and current kibbutz education committee chair, described their return as a pioneering effort to restore community life and traditions.

Community leadership during the crisis was led by Sharon Ofri, who managed emergency coordination from her safe room amid ongoing attacks. She returned to Kisufim last August, encouraged by the youth’s determination to come back. Ofri highlighted the powerful role of community bonds in the return process, stating, "The adults came back because of the children, and the strength of this community is the most important thing now."

Currently, about 92 percent of Kisufim’s population has returned, though this figure excludes other communities still displaced. The regional population has grown from approximately 62,000 before the war to around 65,000 today, mainly due to growth in the city of Sderot. The goal is to reach 120,000 residents within ten years of the tragedy. The government’s rehabilitation authority overseeing this process is expected to close by the end of 2028.