Two Years Since Oct. 7: 1,152 Soldiers, 55 Civilians Killed by Terrorists as Rebuilding Continues In The South

Two years after Hamas’s brutal massacre of October 7, 2023, Israel released data on the toll of a multi-front war against terrorism in the region.

Data released by the Defense Ministry Monday shows that 1,152 security personnel have been killed since the war began. The figures include IDF soldiers, police officers, Shin Bet agents, and civilian security officers who died on and since October 7, whether in combat, accidents or illnesses.

Hamas and other terrorists murdered over 1200 Israelis on Oct 7, which included at least 812 civilians and 388 soldiers.

As of October, 55 Jewish people have been killed by Muslim terrorists since the war in Gaza began, including six who were shot and killed at a bus stop in Yerushalayim last month.

Most of the soldiers killed since the massacre lost their lives in fighting in Gaza, in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and in Yehudah and Shomron. Nearly half; about 42%, were under 21. Another 141 were over 40.

The losses have left 6,500 new bereaved family members, including 1,973 parents, 351 widows, 885 children, and 3,481 siblings. Over 200 of the fallen were buried at Mount Herzl, while funerals have taken place in 264 cemeteries across the country. To accommodate the growing number of burials, 24 military plots were expanded, and new cemeteries were established. Eight soldiers were also buried abroad, accompanied by Defense Ministry representatives.

“The State of Israel bears a heavy price — the history of our country has been written in the blood of our sons and daughters,” said Aryeh Moalem, head of the ministry’s Department for Families of the Fallen, Commemoration and Heritage. “The department’s employees see their work as a mission and continue to commemorate the memory of the fallen, preserve their heritage for future generations, and accompany the bereaved families with emotional and welfare support.”

The ministry implemented a 60 million NIS ($18 million) reform of family care and support services, established special committees for personalized assistance, and created a volunteer network to aid bereaved families with financial guidance and emotional support.

Across the Gaza border region, the scars of October 7 remain deep, but the attacked towns are steadily rebuilding.

At Kibbutz Nir Oz, members returned from temporary housing in Kiryat Gat to visit their devastated community. They gathered at the local cemetery to honor loved ones and call for the release of those still held in Gaza.

Sagui Dekel-Chen, who was freed from captivity in February during the first phase of a ceasefire deal, said through tears, “Somehow, in a dizzying way, I survived.”

Nir Oz was one of the hardest-hit communities, with terrorists entering nearly every one of its 200 homes, murdering or abducting one of every four residents — 117 in total. Of those kidnapped, nine remain in Gaza, five of whom are believed to be alive.

Dafna Margalit, widow of Eliyahu Margalit Hy’d, who was murdered and whose body was taken to Gaza, said her return to “G-d’s little plot in Nir Oz” was a “return to life,” though true rebuilding will only come once the hostages are home. Nir Oz is now under reconstruction, with its first group of residents set to move into a new neighborhood, known as the “Pioneers,” in December.

At Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak, residents lit memorial candles and shared memories in a solemn ceremony.

Zamir Haimi, Tal’s uncle, told the crowd, “The memories remain. The longing remains. A huge, bleeding wound remains in the heart and soul. A huge wound that will never heal.”

Over 80% of the kibbutz’s residents have already returned, with seven new families applying to join, a sign of quiet renewal amid heartbreak.

At Kibbutz Be’eri, where Hamas terrorists murdered 102 people and abducted 30 to Gaza, the community held a poignant memorial service. Family members of the victims recited poems and songs, including “The wheat will grow again,” performed in memory of Mati and Amir Weiss Hy’d.

Ofer Gitai, Be’eri’s community manager, spoke about the pain of ongoing captivity: “Even today, the heart refuses to believe that there are still hostages in the Gaza Strip. This word ‘hostages’ — the mind cannot comprehend how many times it has been repeated over the last two years…. We have become missing people – missing you, missing parts of ourselves, missing the joy that was so easy just the night before.”

Two years later, Be’eri remains under reconstruction. About 750 residents still live temporarily in Kibbutz Hatzerim, while 100 have returned home and others remain scattered around Israel. The community plans a full return next July.

Four residents — Yossi Sharabi, Manny Godard, Sahar Baruch, and Dror Or — are still held by Hamas.