What’s happening:

Ruti Munder, a former hostage captured by Hamas, shared her contrasting experiences in Gaza, indicating her wish for peace juxtaposed with the harsh reality under Hamas’s rule.

Why it matters:

Munder’s dual experiences emphasize the changing dynamics between Israelis and Gazans over the years and highlight the ongoing struggle for peaceful coexistence amid the continuing tensions with Hamas.

By the numbers:

78-year-old Ruti Munder, once a resident along the Gaza border, has had two distinct experiences in Gaza, spanning a period from right after the 1967 Six-Day War to a hostage situation in October 2023.

The backdrop:

In her younger days, Munder visited Gaza’s beaches and fostered hopeful relationships with Gazans. This contrasted sharply with her later experience, being taken hostage by Hamas in 2023, which culminated in the tragic loss of her son who was defending their Kibbutz.

Between the lines:

While Munder remembers the times when mutual trade and visits seemed to pave the way for peaceful coexistence, she acknowledges that the rise of Hamas has cast a long shadow over such prospects.

Yes, but:

Despite the grim circumstances and her recent traumatic experiences, Munder still harbors a deep-seated hope for peace and mutual respect with her Gazan neighbors, although she concedes that the reality with Hamas in power is far from this ideal.

The bottom line:

While clinging to the hope of peaceful relations, Munder has resolved that she will no longer risk venturing into Gaza, marking a poignant stance on the dangers posed by the current political climate under Hamas’s control.

Be smart:

Munder’s perspective serves as a potent reminder of the human aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the individual hopes and tragedies that lie beneath the overarching political struggle.

This story was first published on jpost.com.