What it’s about
In an emotionally charged recounting, Eden Gefner shares her harrowing experience of surviving the October 7th Hamas terror attack on Kibbutz Re’im, Israel. Gefner, a 28-year-old millennial, compares her near-death ordeal to the Holocaust and expresses a deep yearning for lasting peace in Israel.
Why it matters
This first-hand account emphasizes the urgent need for international support and understanding for Israel’s security concerns. It underscores the indiscriminate nature of Hamas’s violence and the lingering psychological trauma inflicted on victims, further highlighting why sustained peace and secure living conditions for Israelis are non-negotiable.
Driving the news
Eden Gefner and her family narrowly escaped death during the Hamas attack, hiding in their safe room while terrorists destroyed their home. Her story is a poignant illustration of Israeli civilians’ vulnerability living near Gaza and the existential threat posed by Hamas.”
The Big Picture
Gefner was born and raised near the Gaza border, in a kibbutz that came under terrorist siege during the festival where 364 civilians were slaughtered. The psychological scars have left her grappling with an overwhelming sense of impending doom akin to what Holocaust victims experienced.
What they are saying
Everyday life for Israelis like Gefner—studying, aspiring for the future—is disrupted by such attacks. Her reflections, “I didn’t do anything. I only woke up as a Jew… [it] felt like the Holocaust,” capture the extent of terror that permeates every aspect of daily existence.
The Data
Gefner draws on the startling reality of increased aggression by Hamas over the years, once taking it as micro-aggressions until the tragic events of October 7, 2023.
State of Play
Post-attack, Gefner participates in initiatives like “Faces of October 7th Project” to humanize the terror’s impact and counter support for Hamas.
Between the Lines
The survivor narrative also critiques the international response—highlighting that pressures should be directed at Hamas, not Israel. “They need to shout, ‘Free Palestinians from Hamas,’ not ‘free from Israel.’ Hamas is holding Palestine—not us,” she articulates.
What’s Next
Eden’s recount and initiatives are vital in sustaining international awareness regarding the constant threats Israel faces and fostering global diplomacy oriented towards denouncing terrorism and creating peaceful cohabitation.
In Conclusion
“We have one Earth, I will say one space. And we all need to understand how we could live together,” concludes Gefner, epitomizing the desire for a collaborative human existence amid geopolitical challenges.
This story was first published on foxnews.com.