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A review by clairealex
The Gates of Gaza: A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel's Borderlands by AMIR. TIBON
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.5
This book is the story of one kibbutz's experience on October 7, 2024 and its context. Although the book starts with October 7, Tibon does give background that shows the attack was a reaction to years of occupation. The book is arranged in alternating chapters: a couple hours of the ordeal on October 7 alternates with the history of the kibbutz, Nahal Oz. Tibon, as a kibbutz resident and journalist for Haaretz tells his own story and that of others he has interviewed, plus he uses the archives of the kibbutz.
The background information frequently involves Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Tibon handles these at a high level of generality, for the most part even handedly presenting the dominant perspectives of both parties without assigning blame. Of course it is impossible to be totally objective, and some Israeli attitudes show in vocabulary and assumptions: Hamas is called "terrorist" not "resistance", and Gaza is considered unoccupied after Israel withdraws settlements and troops, for example.
The background information frequently involves Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Tibon handles these at a high level of generality, for the most part even handedly presenting the dominant perspectives of both parties without assigning blame. Of course it is impossible to be totally objective, and some Israeli attitudes show in vocabulary and assumptions: Hamas is called "terrorist" not "resistance", and Gaza is considered unoccupied after Israel withdraws settlements and troops, for example.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping