Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited Kibbutz Nahal Oz, located near the Gaza border, today (Wednesday), where he met with the kibbutz leadership, Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council Head Uri Epstein, kibbutz members, the security coordinator (Ravshatz), and the emergency response team.
Full Recovery Only When All Hostages Come Home
During the visit, Smotrich heard testimonies from the brutal events of October 7 and stories of bravery from the kibbutz’s emergency response team. He also heard from residents about their determination to return and rebuild the kibbutz.
The minister was accompanied by senior Finance Ministry officials, including Deputy Director General Israel Malachi, Tax Authority Director Shay Aharonovitch, and Budget Department staff.
Kibbutz residents showed the minister the ongoing reconstruction efforts, but emphasized: “A complete recovery for the kibbutz and the community can only happen once Omri Miran – a resident kidnapped from his home in front of his wife and daughters – and all 58 other hostages return home.”
Residents Call for Evacuation Extension
In their meeting with kibbutz leadership, residents asked to extend the evacuation period, citing the ongoing fighting in the region. They stated that normal family life is not possible under the current conditions. It was agreed that the Finance Ministry and kibbutz leadership would work together on a mutually acceptable plan to extend the evacuation period until it is safe to return.
Our National Duty Is to Guarantee the Full Recovery of the Kibbutz
The minister also met with Enlight CEO Gilad Yavetz, whose son, Captain Yiftach Yavetz, was killed defending the kibbutz, and with Moshe Kaplinsky, Chairman of Bazan, who is assisting the kibbutz leadership with redevelopment and reconstruction.
“I came to listen and honor the bravery of Nahal Oz residents,” said Smotrich. “Our national duty is to guarantee the full rehabilitation of the kibbutz and restore its sense of security, belonging, and hope. I witnessed a spirit of rebirth here, a deep desire to resettle Nahal Oz with Zionist vision and to help restore the entire region. This is a battle for our home – and we are fully committed to it.”
Visiting the Family of Hostage Omri Miran
Minister Smotrich also visited the home of the Miran family, where he met with Lishi Miran Lavi, whose husband Omri is still being held in Gaza. “I told her that our commitment to bring Omri and all the hostages home is absolute. We will not rest or be silent until they return, and the Nazi threat beyond the border is eliminated,” he said.
Kibbutz Chairman Ilan Morag added: “We made it clear to the minister – there can be no full recovery as long as Omri Miran and the other hostages have not returned. We appreciated the open and honest conversation about our civil needs, and we will continue working together to ensure a safe future for the Nahal Oz community.”
Tkumah (Reconstruction) Administration Head Aviad Friedman noted that around 200 million shekels have been invested in the physical rebuilding of Nahal Oz: “We will continue investing until every resident is back home. We have not forgotten the hostages – especially Omri Miran, a son of the kibbutz.”
