‘Still unsafe’ – Oct. 7 survivors petition against return to Nahal Oz

Residents of a frontline Israeli kibbutz argue they’re still in danger as the government ends their evacuee status.

By World Israel News Staff

Residents of Nahal Oz, a kibbutz located just 800 meters from the Gaza border, have petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to block a government order declaring their community safe for return.

Nahal Oz was among the hardest-hit communities during the October 7th Hamas attacks, in which roughly 25 percent of its members were either kidnapped or murdered.

For the past 21 months, survivors have been living in state-subsidized accommodations across Israel. 

However, the government recently moved to end their official status as evacuees, which would cut off financial support and effectively force residents to return to their homes.

In their petition, 120 residents argue that it is still unsafe to live in the kibbutz, as the war in Gaza continues and no adequate security guarantees have been provided.

“Life less than a kilometer from the border fence, while explosions shake the houses, is impossible,” the petition states.

“The State failed to protect Nahal Oz, failed to bring back the hostages, and is now failing again by trying to impose a return to a dangerous reality,” it continues.

Among the petition’s signatories is Gali Idan, whose teenage daughter Maayan was murdered in front of her on October 7th when a terrorist shot through their safe room door.

Idan’s husband, Tsahi, was abducted and later killed in captivity. Both incidents were live-streamed on social media by the terrorists.

Lishi Miran-Lavi, another Nahal Oz resident, also joined the petition. Her husband, Omri Miran, was taken hostage and is believed to still be alive in Gaza.

“It is unthinkable to lead a normal life in the kibbutz when Omri and dozens of others are still held hostage, and every explosion echoes in our homes,” Miran-Lavi said in a media statement.

“The State cannot fabricate a false sense of security — this war isn’t over, and life near the fence has not returned to normal.”