Sderot Battles Back from Oct. 7 Assault to Revive Town

SDEROT, Israel—Described as the most heavily rocketed city in the world by its mayor Alon Davidi, Sderot is less than a mile away from the Gaza Strip. With a population of 38,000, the city has been under constant rocket attacks from Hamas for 23 years, even before Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 in an attempt to establish peace.

Having witnessed numerous rocket attacks, Mr. Davidi shared that his seven children, ranging from 12 to 26 years old, have grown up in this tense environment. The 12,000 times his children have experienced the situation reflect the severity of the attacks, as stated in The Epoch Times.

During the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, City officials estimated that hundreds, possibly up to a thousand, rockets were aimed at Sderot. The director of the city’s civilian services center, Yaron Zohar, reported that 47 individuals lost their lives during the raid, with one being held hostage.

The incident at the police station unfolded with terrorists attacking and taking control of the station, leading to a lengthy battle. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) took approximately 25 hours to regain control after which the building was demolished due to severe damage.

The next day, the IDF successfully eliminated the terrorists from the city. However, due to security concerns in the area, the evacuation of residents was delayed for nearly a week. This delay caused challenges for besieged residents who were unable to communicate with loved ones after their phone batteries died.

The combat at the police station, initiated by the terrorists firing a rocket-propelled grenade, resulted in damage to a water main, causing a loss of water supply across much of the city. Ultimately, leading to mass evacuation of the city’s populace.

Mr. Zohar recalled the difficulties faced on Oct. 7, expressing the stark contrast from his role of maintaining the city’s appearance and functionality to witnessing scenes of chaos and destruction post-attack. He recounted the intense experience of responding to distress calls from residents under attack during the raid.

In the midst of the chaos, the malfunctioning of communication systems led to a lack of response from the police station jeopardizing civilian safety. Mr. Zohar described a gripping moment when an 8-year-old child called to report their father being shot. The overwhelmed city employee also received a call from a mother indicating the presence of terrorists inside her home.

Authorities later identified and eliminated the terrorists from the city, restoring stability. The city has witnessed a gradual return of its residents with schools reopening in early March, and by May, over 90% of the populace had returned. Efforts are being made to rebuild the city and restore normalcy, even as stocks of essentials dwindled.

Efforts to revive the city’s economy have been met with challenges, including a shortage of workers hindering construction projects. The mayor envisions a growth in population to 70,000 within the next five years.

The residents’ resilience, commitment to their community, and the realization that they represent a front line in the battle against chaos, have inspired many to return despite the challenges. Mayor Davidi emphasized the importance of standing up against evil forces and continuing to build a better future, not only for themselves but for the generations to come.