Ofakim (Horizons in Hebrew) is a city in southern Israel 25 km northwest of Be’er Sheva and about 25km from the border with the Gaza Strip. The vibrant city is known for its diverse population, strong sense of community, and commitment to fostering innovation and growth. Surrounded by the Negev desert, it boasts stunning landscapes and sunny weather year-round. With its bustling markets, cultural venues, and parks, Ofakim offers a blend of modern amenities and traditional charm. However, Ofakim was one of the communities attacked on October 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorist infiltrators, and this event put Ofakim in the headlines and changed the city forever.
Founded in 1955 with the intent to develop the Negev region, and become an urban hub for the surrounding rural communities. The first residents were new immigrants, with the majority being Moroccan Jews. In the first few years, the standard of living was low, homes were rudimentary huts or shacks, and there was high unemployment and many social problems. But as industries developed in the area, the economy grew and Ofakim also welcomed new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia.
In the 1990s Ofakim had the highest unemployment rate in the country, and approximately a third of its residents were living on welfare. But after a change in city management Ofakim strived to make improvements, and they seemed to have turned things around.
As the city developed it gained a tennis center, soccer stadium, and the impressive Nahal Shomriya Cycle Route. New railway lines connected Ofakim to Be’er Sheva, and after years of stagnation new housing, youth centers, cultural venues, and infrastructure projects were developed. Then came October 7, 2023.
On October 7, Ofakim was the furthest community from the border to be attacked by infiltrating Hamas terrorists. It started when an unprecedented number of rockets were fired from Gaza in the direction of the city. Then as dawn was breaking Hamas terrorists entered the Ofakim neighborhood of Mishor Hagafen, and began killing anyone they encountered. They were well-armed with grenades, RPGs, and rifles.
A battle took place between the terrorists and Ofakim residents including police officers, local security forces, and citizens armed with knives, and any weapon they could get hold of. Thanks to the heroic response of the residents, the magnitude of the death and destruction in Ofakim was limited. Within five hours 50 people were killed by the terrorists.
The residents of Ofakim hid in their homes for many hours, some even stayed in hiding until the following day, scared that there may be terrorists still lurking in the city. In the aftermath, it has taken the residents of Ofakim many weeks, and some even months to go back to life as usual. You can still see bullet holes in buildings, and in places, there are even blood stains that have not yet been removed.
When five terrorists entered the home of Rachel and David Edry, the couple used their charm and some tasty food prepared by Rachel to distract the captors from their mission to kill. Rachel chatted and joked with the terrorists to stay alive until they could be rescued. She repeatedly asked to go to the bathroom where she signaled to the Israeli soldiers watching the house, giving them information about how many terrorists were in the house and where they stood.
The ordeal went on for 15 hours until 3am on Monday morning. Ultimately the couple was rescued when a police SWAT team entered the home and killed all of the terrorists. Racheli’s home became a tourist attraction overnight, with people stopping by to take photos of the bullet-riddled walls.
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