Maya Meshel reported for BBC from Kibbutz Be’eri, where Simon King was seen tending to a patch of ground near a charred home. The area was eerily quiet, with only the sound of air strikes in the distance breaking the silence. Nearly a year ago, 101 people were killed in the community by gunmen from Hamas and other groups. Survivors hid in safe rooms, exchanging horrifying details over WhatsApp groups.
The once strong community of Be’eri is now psychologically and physically splintered after the devastating attack. Many residents have not returned to their homes, opting to live in prefabricated buildings on another kibbutz. The future of the community, built over 80 years, remains uncertain.
The kibbutz is filled with reminders of those who did not survive, with burnt homes and destroyed buildings scattered throughout. Simon and Rami now lead tours for visitors to understand the devastation that occurred. The tours are not popular with everyone, but they believe the stories must be told.
In the aftermath of the attacks, residents were moved to a hotel by the Dead Sea, where they tried to come to terms with their losses. Conversations still revolve around the traumatic events of that day. Shir, one of the survivors, now lives in a prefabricated home with her daughters, trying to rebuild their lives after the tragedy.