In a kibbutz near Gaza, Oct. 7 scars tear at leftist heritage

On the Nahal Oz kibbutz near Gaza, residents grapple with the legacy of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack ahead of Israel's first election since the assault. Kibbutz spokesman Danny Rahamim says most did not turn right-wing but no longer believe peace is possible. Sixteen of 400 residents were killed. The election pits Netanyahu against Eisenkot, both opposed to a Palestinian state. Rahamim will vote for left-wing candidate Yair Golan.

On the Nahal Oz kibbutz, just a few hundred meters from the Gaza border, the scars of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack are reshaping the community's leftist heritage ahead of Israel's first election since the assault. Kibbutz spokesman Danny Rahamim, 72, who has lived there for 50 years, says most residents did not turn right-wing but no longer believe peace with their neighbors is possible. Sixteen of the kibbutz's 400 residents were killed. The election pits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against centrist Gadi Eisenkot, both opposed to a Palestinian state. Residents express anger and a blurred sense of compassion toward Gaza. Rahamim will vote for left-wing candidate Yair Golan. The kibbutz has been repainted, but memories remain ever-present.