On Danny Rahamim's forearm, a new sunflower tattoo bears the phrase "the way to hope" and the date that changed his life — October 7, 2023. He told the ABC he divides Israelis into those who have lost hope and those who keep it, placing himself firmly in the latter camp.
"If you lost your hope, nothing will change," he said.
Rahamim has lived in Nahal Oz since 1975, a kibbutz roughly 800 metres from the Gaza fence. On October 7, three waves of Hamas terrorists and other armed groups attacked the community. Fifteen people were killed in the kibbutz, and eight were taken hostage. Rahamim and his family survived, describing the attack as "Russian roulette."
About 85 per cent of the roughly 450 residents who lived in Nahal Oz before the attacks have since returned. An Israeli surveillance drone now hovers constantly overhead, monitoring the border.
With Israel heading to an election on October 27, Rahamim has been blunt in his criticism of the current government, calling it "the most terrible and bad government that we ever had." He said if it retains power, Israel will be in a very bad situation. Still, he expressed faith that peace is possible.
"Maybe it won't happen in my lifetime, but I have the responsibility to give the hope for my children and my grandchildren," he said.