Sha'ar HaNegev Council Head Demands Transparency After Gaza Balloon Incident

Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, sharply criticized the Israeli government and military on February 12, 2025, following a security incident involving a balloon launched from the Gaza Strip that landed in the Simhoni Forest. Epstein emphasized that for residents of the Gaza envelope communities, such events are not isolated but revive deep fears and traumatic memories from past attacks, including the October 7, 2023 assault. He described how these incidents affect families directly, triggering anxiety and flashbacks among children and security personnel who have endured ongoing threats.

Epstein highlighted the prolonged recovery efforts in the region, noting that while some communities have returned home, others remain displaced nearly three years after the October 7 attacks. He criticized the way security decisions are communicated to residents, often via casual WhatsApp or Telegram messages, which undermines trust. "The days of telling us 'it's just a balloon' are over," he stated, calling for full transparency and thorough investigations by military and political leadership.

Despite the challenges, Epstein affirmed the residents' commitment to rebuilding their communities and living in the area, describing it as a Zionist choice rooted in hope for the future. He urged authorities to work openly with local leaders to restore confidence and security, concluding, "Without trust there is no security, and without security there is no home, and we have no other place to be."