kibbutz

I was in Kfar Azza kibbutz when they were still recovering the bodies of dead Israelis, as soldiers checked buildings with bursts of gunfire.

Stories included the testimonials of young people ambushed while they danced at the Nova Music Festival, survivors of a massacre in a kibbutz, grieving parents and rescuers.

The stage was adorned with items symbolising the attacks including burnt and broken cars from the Nova music festival; a child’s bicycle and swing set from the Be’eri kibbutz.

People were slaughtered in their homes, kibbutzim obliterated, and many of those who survived were dragged as hostages into Gaza.

The kibbutz was a small community, with modest homes on an open-plan campus of lawns and neat gardens.