The opening of a new garden at Kibbutz Netiv Ha'asara, located near the Gaza border, to honour the members who died on October 7, featured the raising of an Israeli flag 174 feet tall, directly facing the border fence, sending a strong message to the northern neighbourhood's of Gaza.
The memorial stands at the area where Hamas terrorists broke in on October 7th, killing multiple members of the community in its brutal attack. The Israeli flag that now flies there is the largest in the country waving as a sign of hope and resilience to both enemies and friends. In addition, 20 olive trees were planted to remember the 20 victims murdered from the kibbutz.
Alfredo Vachs, an 84-year-old resident of Kibbutz Netiv Ha'asara, situated on the Gaza border, displays a truly remarkable sense of optimism. Despite losing his two sons, Amit and Yigal, in the terrorist attack on October 7, he has recently come back home and is working hard to maintain a smile on his face. At the dedication of the "Path of Hope" memorial for the 20 victims from the kibbutz, Alfredo's wide smile shone brightly as the tallest Israeli flag in the country was hoisted.
According to Ynet, Alfredo expressed that "Yigal and Amit always hold a special place in his heart, that is most important to me. Everyday, all day they are by my side. The love i have for them is profound."
The huge flag, with its 50 metre high pole, serves as a prominent symbol in Netiv Ha'Asara, overlooking the town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Built at the centre of the "Path of Hope" garden, a large public park with olive trees at the village's southern end, the structure clearly communicates with the neighbourhood's in the northern Gaza Strip that are within view from the garden.