Volunteers and soldiers visit areas in Israel attacked by Hamas
Three weeks after the Hamas attacks, relatives and friends are suffering from the lack of information about the missing people in Israel. In a special report for the FantasticDocumentary photographer Gabriel Chaim followed the work of soldiers who visited the places infested by terrorists.
Located in southern Israel, just eight kilometers from the Gaza border, Kibbutz Be’eri was destroyed by the war. Before the Hamas attacks, around 1,100 people lived there and the place was known for its artisanal production and quiet streets with parks and toys for children.
1 of 4 Kibbutz Be’eri is located in the south of Israel, only eight kilometers from the border with the Gaza Strip; it was destroyed by the war Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Kibbutz Be’eri is located in the south of Israel, only eight kilometers from from the border with the Gaza Strip Gaza border Gaza, was destroyed by war Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
Today only the rubble can be seen. Some houses no longer exist and almost everything has been destroyed. According to Israeli government estimates, a total of 130 people died in the attack on October 7th.
Now volunteers are looking for information about missing residents. These are people who take risks where the intense noise of planes and bombs can still be heard nearby.
One of the granddaughters of the kibbutz founders is waiting for news from her relatives. The 34yearold woman is pregnant and talks about her last conversation with her parents on the day of the attack.
2 of 4 One of the granddaughters of the kibbutz founders speaks about concerns over new news of missing relatives. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction One of the granddaughters of the kibbutz founders speaks about concerns about new news about missing relatives. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
“My brother called our parents until my mother answered and whispered that they were hiding in a shelter and heard gunshots all the time. About an hour later I received a text saying they loved us. And that was the last news I heard from them,” he says.
She already knows that Father was murdered by terroristsbut believes that eight relatives are still being kidnapped in Gaza, including her mother, uncles and nephews.
“I know nothing about war tactics, but I hope that everything will be done to rescue my relatives as quickly as possible,” he added.
On Sunday afternoon (29), hundreds of people said goodbye to a couple who lived in Be’eri. Among the tributes are flowers and a mural with photos of moments before the war. They could not be buried where they lived because the place is isolated. Therefore, the funeral had to take place in a kibbutz in the Mediterranean, 80 kilometers from Be’eri.
3 of 4 Hundreds of people said goodbye to a couple who lived in Be’eri. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Hundreds of people said goodbye to a couple who lived in Be’eri. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
Accompanied by Israeli army soldiers, Gabriel Chaim visited another area destroyed by terrorists. And that Kibbutz of Kfar Aza, from where you can see the border with the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli Defense Forces, about 10% of residents there were killed or kidnapped.
The person in charge of the operation in this region is the colonel Golan Vachwho dedicated his life to the Israeli army for 31 years, leading search missions such as the earthquake in Turkey in February this year and the Brumadinho tragedy here in Brazil.
4 out of 4 Coronel took part in searches in Brumadinho (MG). — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Coronel took part in searches in Brumadinho (MG). — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
The colonel was among 136 soldiers who brought more than 16 tons of specialized equipment to Minas Gerais in January 2019. Israel’s technology promised to help locate the bodies of people found beneath the ore mud after the dam collapsed. from Vale. They stayed in Brazil for five days
Despite all his experience in humanitarian operations, the soldier was struck by the violence of the attacks.
“I’ve been to many places that have suffered from earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist attacks, and I’ve never seen anything like what I’ve seen now… it’s something I never thought of,” he reported .
Further north of Gaza, the city of Ashkelon had a population of 130,000. According to the Israeli government, 30,000 people have fled their homes since the attacks began.
And in this place is the nearest hospital north of Gaza, 10 kilometers from the border. Only the heaviest hostages remained there and a neonatal ward was set up in a bunker.
Most are babies who were born prematurely the week of the seizure and require special care. Palestinians and Israelis work side by side there.
“Here in our emergency department you can see Jewish, Arab and Palestinian doctors working together to save lives and care for patients. We are professionals. Anyone who comes to us will be looked after,” says the hospital’s chief physician.
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