I have managed to learn a bit about Kfar Darom. You probably know these things, but just in case you don't...
The land was purchased in 1929 by a Jew, (Tuvia Miller). It's not "stolen land".
My niece lived in the former house, vacated by the Cohen family, after 3 of their children, riding in a school bus lost limbs in a bombing of the school bus by the filthy Islamists.
There was a lovely biblical garden on the grounds of "KD".
There was hothouses, for the company "Alei Qatif" growing, processing, packaging, and shipping Koshered (insect free) vegetables, sent to the European and North American markets (probably Israeli market too).
I believe that Alei Qatif has relocated, and now operates from elsewhere in Israel.
The workers in the hot houses were Chinese from the PRC (Peoples Republic of China).
There was a good sized military force garrisoned at KD.
I would estimate at least 1 company of infantry, 4 upgraded former US M-60 tanks, 2 armored personnel carriers, and 1 cat d-9 bull dozer.
There were screens deployed strategically to intercept incoming RPGs.
The Jews living there were VERY determined people.
I noticed a couple people in wheel chairs, (who I assumed to have been previously wounded by terrorists), who nevertheless remained in KD, despite the hardship and periodic dangers.
during the last few years of the existence of KD, the Israeli govt. forbade new construction. To get around this, small vintage houses from inside "Israel proper" that were slated for demolition were obtained, and shipped intact by truck, and placed on open spaces inside KD (determination to grow the settlement).
The Mukhtar of Deir Al Balah lived in a modern house outside the walls of KD (east side). As long as he and his family posed no threat, they were left unmolested. Not too long before the expulsion, I received a phone call from my niece. She informed me that the son of the Mukhtar had been observed taking photos of the inside of KD, from outside the wall. The Mukhtars' home received a visit from that Caterillar D-9, and was totally demolished.
As for Ariel Sharon and the "disengagement", I've heard a few differing opinions.
What I have keyed in on is as follows:
Let's say a year or two before the govt. made everyone leave.
I read anecdotal comments that made definitive declaration that Jews in Gaza (I don't remember if Kfar Darom was mentioned specifically) heard sounds that they felt certain were coming from under the ground, and tunneling by the jihadist bastards could not be ruled out.
I have since held the opinion, that the most likely rationale for leaving Gaza back then, was that the military was highly certain that the inbred freak Jihadists were preparing an attack, or multiple attacks, in which they planned to emerged from tunnels, in the middle of settlements, overwhelm the guards, and commit a 2023 style atrocity in 2003, 20 years prior to the fact.
There was, as far as I know, no Yahahlom, and none of the other anti tunnel strategies and devices since developed by Israel's incredibly resourceful army, at that time.
I want to say one more thing.
May Hamas and the others cease to exist, may they be expunged and eradicated totally soon and in our time.
Like I said, I'll be writing about Kfar Darom. I did a three week reserve duty there, patrolling and guarding the entrance. I also did three more reserve duties as a driver, escorting the school buses, that included stops at Kfar Darom.
Beautiful post. Eyes leaked a little at the Blessing. You've got great stories.
Precious.
My niececand her family lived in kfar Darom. I was privileged to visit them there, 3 times.
I’m have some posts on Kfar Darom coming up.
I have managed to learn a bit about Kfar Darom. You probably know these things, but just in case you don't...
The land was purchased in 1929 by a Jew, (Tuvia Miller). It's not "stolen land".
My niece lived in the former house, vacated by the Cohen family, after 3 of their children, riding in a school bus lost limbs in a bombing of the school bus by the filthy Islamists.
There was a lovely biblical garden on the grounds of "KD".
There was hothouses, for the company "Alei Qatif" growing, processing, packaging, and shipping Koshered (insect free) vegetables, sent to the European and North American markets (probably Israeli market too).
I believe that Alei Qatif has relocated, and now operates from elsewhere in Israel.
The workers in the hot houses were Chinese from the PRC (Peoples Republic of China).
There was a good sized military force garrisoned at KD.
I would estimate at least 1 company of infantry, 4 upgraded former US M-60 tanks, 2 armored personnel carriers, and 1 cat d-9 bull dozer.
There were screens deployed strategically to intercept incoming RPGs.
The Jews living there were VERY determined people.
I noticed a couple people in wheel chairs, (who I assumed to have been previously wounded by terrorists), who nevertheless remained in KD, despite the hardship and periodic dangers.
during the last few years of the existence of KD, the Israeli govt. forbade new construction. To get around this, small vintage houses from inside "Israel proper" that were slated for demolition were obtained, and shipped intact by truck, and placed on open spaces inside KD (determination to grow the settlement).
The Mukhtar of Deir Al Balah lived in a modern house outside the walls of KD (east side). As long as he and his family posed no threat, they were left unmolested. Not too long before the expulsion, I received a phone call from my niece. She informed me that the son of the Mukhtar had been observed taking photos of the inside of KD, from outside the wall. The Mukhtars' home received a visit from that Caterillar D-9, and was totally demolished.
As for Ariel Sharon and the "disengagement", I've heard a few differing opinions.
What I have keyed in on is as follows:
Let's say a year or two before the govt. made everyone leave.
I read anecdotal comments that made definitive declaration that Jews in Gaza (I don't remember if Kfar Darom was mentioned specifically) heard sounds that they felt certain were coming from under the ground, and tunneling by the jihadist bastards could not be ruled out.
I have since held the opinion, that the most likely rationale for leaving Gaza back then, was that the military was highly certain that the inbred freak Jihadists were preparing an attack, or multiple attacks, in which they planned to emerged from tunnels, in the middle of settlements, overwhelm the guards, and commit a 2023 style atrocity in 2003, 20 years prior to the fact.
There was, as far as I know, no Yahahlom, and none of the other anti tunnel strategies and devices since developed by Israel's incredibly resourceful army, at that time.
I want to say one more thing.
May Hamas and the others cease to exist, may they be expunged and eradicated totally soon and in our time.
Like I said, I'll be writing about Kfar Darom. I did a three week reserve duty there, patrolling and guarding the entrance. I also did three more reserve duties as a driver, escorting the school buses, that included stops at Kfar Darom.
I look forward to reading what you will write.
I think that I'm set up to receive notifications each time you publish something.
I've published a few short stories, drawn from some of my experiences in life
that I felt to be a bit interesting or compelling in one way or another.
I just tell the stories, changing names, and MAYBE slightly altering a detail here or there.
Most of it is straight out of my life, as I've lived it.
I'm not a well trained writer. Feel free to take 2-3 minutes to check out any of my published "vignettes".
You might find something amusing or even a bit thought provoking.
Some of my thoughts, in September of ‘24 were a bit prescient.
https://irahberkowitz.substack.com/p/will-the-iranian-lands-be-directly
Ehud, my friend, if I could write like you do, I never would have wasted so much time in law school! This is a beautiful piece. Thank you.
Ed, coming from you this means something. I'm glad you liked it. Thank you.
So this made me cry. Not just tear up, but cry. Very beautiful.
It's been twenty years. I'm a bit teary eyed too.