Frequently Asked Questions

Be’eri is a community on the border of Gaza, established in 1946. It was built on the vision of working together to develop Israel's land.

From its inception through the 1970s, the relationship between Gaza and Be’eri was relatively stable. Be’eri residents shopped at the markets and visited the shore within the Gaza border. However, the interaction began to shift in 1987, when the first intifada began. Be’eri residents continued to employ Gazans in the Be’eri farming and agricultural industries; however, they stopped entering Gaza for leisure. In 2007, following the Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Hamas was elected as the leader in Gaza, and the threat of terrorism and violence grew. As a result, the employment of Gazan residents in the Kibbutz ceased. Each year since then, some members of the Kibbutz have raised funds to support the specific Gazan residents who had worked in Be’eri for the years prior. All three Be’eri residents were killed on October 7^th, 2023. 

Since 2001, rockets have been launched towards Israel from Gaza, with the first rocket hitting the city of Sderot. After Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005, and especially since 2007 when Hamas took control, rocket fire from Gaza has become more frequent, and the weaponry of terrorist organizations has improved over time. Since then, several military operations have taken place in the region, including Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Clouds, Operation Protective Edge, and Operation Guardian of the Walls. Consequently, those born in the 1990s and onwards have become accustomed to living under the threat of rocket alarms and experiencing military operations every few years. Aside from the psychological support that some families have needed, there have been measures like fortified rooms and the Iron Dome system to protect the residents' lives.

The Kibbutz is a democracy-based entity and is therefore comprised of several committees run by elected leaders from the Kibbutz. Each committee manages community operations according to a set of by-laws. When significant changes or decisions must be made within the community, the management presents their recommendations to the Kibbutz and brings the issue to vote.

Today, 700 members live in temporary housing at Hatzerim, 100 returned to Be'eri and 150 scattered across the country.

Since its establishment in 1946, Be’eri has had economic influence in the region. Today, Be’eri is home to multiple thriving businesses, including:

• Be’eri Printing – The most Advanced printing company in the Middle East with variable data printing
• Lamedavesh – Bike rental and experience company
• Be’eri Dairy – Handmade quality cheese, catering services, events, and additional products for sale
• Lalush Bakery – Hand-made cookies, cakes, desserts, and pastries
• Be’eri Agriculture – Robust agriculture industry, shipping produce globally and locally.

Over the years, Be’eri has had economic and agricultural influence in the region. Their business success and ability to integrate technological advancements in industries such as printing and agriculture have encouraged other regional communities to learn from them and follow. Be’eri Printing, for example, is the largest printing company in the country. As such, in addition to contributing to a large portion of the Kibbutz revenue, it employs hundreds of Negev residents outside of Be’eri as well. 

Today, Be’eri continues to influence the region. As such, when Be’eri Printing and Farming were among the first companies to reopen after the October 7th massacre, other businesses in the region followed.

On October 6th, 2023, Kibbutz Be’eri celebrated its 77th anniversary. In the early morning of October 7th, over 3000 Hamas terrorists broke through the security fence. They entered the Gaza Envelope region of Israel, leading to the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. At least 400 of these terrorists infiltrated Kibbutz Be’eri, kidnapping 30 civilians and murdering 99, including a 10-month-old baby (girl) and 88-year-old (woman). The remaining residents were terrorized, orphaned, and widowed. Over 120 homes were desecrated – others were damaged and looted. 

Everyone in the kibbutz was affected.

On October 7, 2023, approximately 30 members and guests of Kibbutz Be'eri were kidnapped to Gaza. Over the following two years, all of Be'eri's hostages—both living and deceased—were returned home.

November 2023 – The First Deal: During the "Gates of Heaven" agreement, 18 hostages from Be'eri were released after 50-54 days in captivity—women and children including Shiri Weiss and her daughter Noga, Noam and Alma Or, the Shoham family, and others. The body of Yehudit Weiss, who died in captivity, was recovered near Shifa Hospital.

2024 – Deaths Confirmed and Bodies Retrieved: In January 2024, the families learned that Itay Svirsky and Yossi Sharabi had been murdered in captivity. Throughout the year, bodies were recovered: Carmel Gat in August and Itay Svirsky in December.

January-February 2025 – The Second Deal: Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi were released alive on February 8, 2025, after 491 days. Tal Shoham, the last living hostage from Be'eri, returned on February 22. The bodies of Yossi Sharabi and Sahar Baruch were also returned during this period.

August-November 2025 – Final Returns: The bodies of Ilan Weiss (August), Meni Godard, Ofra Keidar (November), and finally Dror Or (November 25, 2025) were returned to Israel.

For the first time since October 7th, no hostages from Kibbutz Be'eri remain in Gaza.

In August 2024, most community members (800 people) relocated to the temporary housing complex in Kibbutz Hatzerim. Meanwhile, 100 kibbutz members returned to reside in Be’eri, while an additional 200 are dispersed in various locations across the country.

The Kibbutz recognizes that allowing visitors to hear first-account stories and bear witness to the Hamas atrocities is crucial. However, to respect the wishes of Be’eri residents, visits have been limited and require specific permission before entrance.

As of January 2026, the expected return is on March 2027.

Most of the community would like to return to Be’eri. However, before then, community buildings and homes must be rebuilt, and a sense of safety and security must be restored. This will require time and resources beyond what the government will provide.

The primary challenge today is the restoration of the community, both in addressing mental health and preventing post-trauma, as well as in fostering resilience. Another significant challenge lies in managing a community split across multiple locations. Within the kibbutz itself, demolition processes have begun for buildings damaged in the terror attack, accompanied by numerous challenges related to constructing new neighborhoods and rebuilding destroyed public facilities.

To encourage families to return and new members to join, residents must feel physically, emotionally, and mentally safe in the very place where it was all taken from them. This means creating a beautiful community full of engaging cultural activities, thriving economic opportunities, and communal connection is paramount for a successful rehabilitation. 

While the community was able to maintain the Kibbutz before October 7^th, the rehabilitation costs will far exceed the annual operational budget. Regrettably, Be’eri residents also anticipate this financial burden will exceed what the Israeli government can provide.

The government has provided the following support since October 7: 

• Housing & Food
  • Following the October 7^th attacks, Kibbutz residents were given two options.
    • Option 1: Live in the hotel where lodging and three daily meals would be covered.
    • Option 2: Receive a daily stipend per family member, per day and secure your own food and shelter.
• Fallen Soldiers Family Law
  • Families who lost a loved one because of the October 7^th attacks were and continue to be eligible for compensation.
• Mental Therapy
  • Since January 2024, the government has provided reslience therapies to Kibbutz residents.
  • Support is allocated through the regional councils and allows for up to 12 visits annually with a qualified mental health professional.
  • Traditional therapy is the only modality covered - leaving wide options for residents looking for alternative theraputice responses.
• Hatzerim
  • The government is funding the cost of the temporary housing construction

Please see a detailed reply in the Capital Campaign FAQ.

Please see a detailed reply in the Capital Campaign FAQ.

Rebuilding Be’eri is a $150 million effort.

• $113 Million: Committed by the Israeli government

• $15 Million: Already raised from generous donors

• $22 Million: Philanthropic gap we must close over three years (20% in 2025, 60% in 2026, 20% in 2027)

Every project is designed through a trauma-informed lens, creating homes and public spaces that promote healing, resilience, and dignity.

Please see details in the Capital Campaign page.

Yes. While each community raises money independently, the leaders meet to share ideas and support each other during this difficult transitional period.

Currently the main funding priority is is the capital campaign.