Sderot, Israel. – The city of Sderot, located just three kilometers from the Gaza Strip, was one of the areas most affected by the October 7th attack. In this border zone, where citizens have special permits to carry personal defense weapons because it is considered a “hot zone,” the violence was experienced directly and devastatingly.
Among the victims, Michel Nisbaum is remembered, a Brazilian tour guide much loved in the community. That day, upon receiving a call from his daughter who was taking refuge with his grandson, he immediately went out to protect them, but on the way he was intercepted and taken to Gaza. His car appeared with all his belongings, and after weeks of uncertainty, his body was recovered in a military operation. His name, along with that of other fallen, appears today on the posters that line the place as a permanent tribute.
The attack in Sderot even reached the local police station, taken by terrorists who managed to entrench themselves for 24 hours. The resistance of some officers, one of whom managed to get a long-range weapon to confront the attackers, was etched in the city’s memory. Finally, the only way to regain control was through the impact of an Israeli army tank, which destroyed the building to neutralize the threat. Today, murals, remnants of the structure, and makeshift shelters serve as a testament to the horror and resilience of a city marked by violence, but which refuses to lose hope.
