Kibbutz Nir Oz members sent a letter today (Thursday) to the commander of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman. Osnat Peri, chairman of the kibbutz's board of directors, wrote, among other things, that "this letter was written in order to remove from you and your soldiers any thought about past events and to allow you and your soldiers to focus on returning the hostages alive and fighting until a decision is made," the letter reads on behalf of all the kibbutz members.
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"The events of the Seventh of October caused a deep rift in our quiet and peaceful kibbutz community," the letter began. "We are currently accompanying on their last journey 27 of our comrades who were murdered in cold blood on the accursed day. 74 of our members are abducted or missing.
"Alongside the loss, a sense of abandonment surrounds us. The feeling of helplessness in which we spent many hours in the safe rooms gave us a severe sense of loss of faith in the army. From the day the kibbutz was established, we have been educating our children that there is no need to worry and that at the moment of truth, the army will fight anyone who tries to harm us and protect us. But that was not the case on the seventh of October."
It is impossible to contain the sights. Nir Oz, Photo: Oren Cohen
"Out of loss and bereavement, we want to strengthen your hands. You are a brave, dedicated, sophisticated and pleasant general. We heard your operation order yesterday in which you also mentioned the name of our group and we were very excited. This is the time to fight with determination and courage, in accordance with the values of the army, until quiet returns to our region and we can manage our lives and work our fields with a full sense of security.
"This letter was written in order to remove from you and your soldiers any thought about past events and to allow you and your soldiers to focus on returning the hostages alive and fighting until a decision is reached. At the end of the fighting, I am sure that the time will be found to come and meet with members of our community, to answer our difficult questions and to share in our sorrow and pain. Take care of yourself and our soldiers."
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