Hamas launched an attack on the nation of Israel on October 7th, 2023. They are a terrorist group in the Gaza Strip that started as a humanitarian organization before turning violent. Israel is a Jewish nation state located on the Mediterranean Coast, bordered by Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, and recognized by the United Nations (UN). The Gaza Strip is located on the western coast of Israel and is one of the most densely populated areas in the world with about 21,000 people per square mile. Of those 21,000 people, ninety-nine percent are practicing Sunni Muslims and almost half are under the age of 18.
The most recent conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties from attacks on both sides including rockets, missiles, and bombings. The way of life in the entire region has been altered. One American-Israeli citizen, Dan Kobrinski, has lived on a kibbutz in Northern Israel near the Jordan River for the past 7 years. Kibbutzim are small town-like communities with farms living communal lifestyles. Kobrinski’s grandparents established the kibbutz after immigrating from Poland post World War II and the family has remained involved in the kibbutz. A few family members served in the Israeli army and his grandfather lived in the kibbutz until his death a few years ago.
Israel has deep roots for many religions. Because of the conflict, Kobrinski returned to the United States , but he explained, “You feel a connection to your home, but wherever you are in the world you feel a connection to Israel.” However, Israel is not home to just the Jewish faith. He states, “It is still ingrained in both sides that all of the land belongs to them. They just have not figured out a way to live together peacefully.”
