Rising from the ashes: Israelis in nation's war-torn south move home a year after October 7 massacre

Before October 7, the communities of the mostly agricultural cooperative settlements, commonly known as kibbutzim, near the Gaza Strip, were considered some of the most picturesque places in Israel, characterized by green fields and carpets of vibrant red anemones. Yet, they were also among the most bombarded areas in the country. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s paradise; one percent of the time, it’s hell," was a common saying among residents.

"It’s fair to say this year, we live in that one percent" Ofer Liberman admits...