WARNING: This article contains graphic descriptions of violence that may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
A year after Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, one survivor, Galia Sopher, says finding an answer to how she is coping with the trauma of that day is difficult.
"The short version is I’m fine," Sopher told Mercedes Stephenson in an interview that aired Sunday on The West Block. "I’m alive, I’m healthy, I have a beautiful, lovely family.
"So it’s easy to say we’re good. But on the other hand, we’re not. I’m not."
About 1,200 people were killed in the attack, which sparked Israel’s military offensive in Gaza that has killed over 41,000 people in the Palestinian territory, according to Hamas-run health officials’ figures that don’t differentiate between civilians and militants.
Sopher was camping with her two young daughters and other families outside her kibbutz, Mefalsim, which sits just three kilometres from the Israel-Gaza border, when Hamas began its attack in the early morning hours. Her husband was at home.
She quickly realized what had first sounded like thunder before a rainstorm was the sound of thousands of rockets exploding over Israel.
"It kept going and going and going," Sopher said.
Her instinct from years of living in close proximity to the Gaza Strip, which has long seen conflicts between Israel and Hamas, told her to shield her daughters with her body inside their tent as the explosions continued.
As she tried to figure out what was happening, Sopher noticed that she couldn’t hear any children crying, which was unusual, she said.
"I’m like, ‘Why are children not crying? What’s going on?’" she said.
Amid the confusion, armed volunteers helped Sopher and her two small girls into a vehicle, speeding them to her home in Mefalsim where her husband was still safe.
Volunteer security forces have been credited with fighting off Hamas militants as they attacked Mefalsim and preventing any deaths inside the community.
Inside their home, Sopher said, there was no electricity. The family hunkered down with only the lights on their smartphones. They tried to distract the girls with play while trying to stay as quiet as possible.
Sopher said the military took her family to the central Israeli city of Netanya, where they stayed for a week with about 1,000 of their neighbours before travelling to Cyprus, where they still live today.
Sopher and her husband are both in therapy, and she said her daughters recognize what they went through that day and are starting to talk openly about it.
"No three-year-old, no six-year-old should know, what does kidnap mean," she said.
As she continues to process her trauma, Sopher said she has criticisms about Israel’s response. She noted that the IDF members who helped them flee their home took hours to arrive after Hamas launched their attack.
"That’s one of the things that makes me so angry," she said.
"We have the strongest army, the best army, all the things that we’ve been told over the years. Where were they?"
Conclusion:
Galia Sopher’s story is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of violence and terrorism on individuals and communities. Her account highlights the need for effective and timely responses to such attacks, and for ongoing support for those affected by trauma. As the world continues to grapple with these issues, it is essential to heed the lessons learned from Sopher’s experience and work towards a more peaceful and secure future for all.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What happened during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack?
A: Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people and sparking a military offensive in Gaza.
Q: What was Galia Sopher’s experience during the attack?
A: Sopher was camping with her two daughters and other families outside her kibbutz, Mefalsim, when the attack began. She and her family were eventually helped to safety by volunteer security forces.
Q: How has Galia Sopher coped with the trauma of the attack?
A: Sopher has been in therapy and is still trying to process her experiences. She has also shared her story to raise awareness about the impact of violence and terrorism.
Q: What are Galia Sopher’s criticisms of Israel’s response to the attack?
A: Sopher has expressed disappointment and anger about the slow response of the IDF members who helped her family flee their home, and has questioned the effectiveness of Israel’s security measures.
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