WhatsappKerem Shalom is a small Kibbutz at the very tip end of Israel, right next to the border with the Gaza Strip. They, like 20 other locations next to the wall near the Gaza Strip, were invaded by around 100 Arab terrorists from the Gaza Strip. The goal was clear – kill, rape, kidnap, and burn down the Kibbutz. They were very close to achieving their goals. But a few brave men – less than ten brave men – held them at bay for more than 6 hours despite depleting ammunition. Then, finally the Israeli Army came in and rescued them.
There were 2 members of the Kibbutz, young fathers in the first response unit, who were killed in the battle. But, somehow, through a mixture of bravery, luck, and a bunch of miracles, the others managed to withstand droves of terrorists and saved the lives of all of the members of the Kibbutz.
It must be noted that the young men who fought were largely young religious men who moved down to the non-religious Kibbutz with their wives and young children, for pure idealistic reasons. Their decision ultimately saved the lives of hundreds of people.
One would think that following the trauma of what they endured and what their neighbors endured, they would do anything to leave the area. But lo and behold, these heroes have every intention to go back, rebuild, resettle and deepen the connection to this part of the Land of Israel. It is exactly heroic people like this that will lead us to the redemption.
