S4 E40. How Safe are Israeli Border Communities?

As thousands of Israelis have returned to live in the communities that were attacked on October 7, many are surprised by the security situation they are encountering. Ilan Cohen is the head of the defense squad at Kibbutz Re’im, which was among the small villages attacked by Hamas and PIJ terrorists. He was one of the first Re’im residents to return to his kibbutz home and has been instrumental in encouraging others to do the same. Cohen says that 96% of Re’im residents are back. But - he also tells State of Tel Aviv and Beyond about disturbing signs along the Gaza border that are eerily reminiscent of the way things were before October 7. So - I spoke to Ilan Cohen in late August about his concerns and the reality on the ground. But I begin this podcast with some raw footage taken from the CCTV cameras at the front gate of Kibbutz Re’im on October 7 - and I explain what happened that morning. It is surreal. We then show footage from February, 2026, when I was embedded with the IDF for a quick trip to a forward base within the Gaza Strip, in Israeli-controlled territory. We were right up against the “Yellow Line”, which is the demarcation between the Israeli controlled part of the Strip and the area where Hamas is entrenched. I include a short interview with then Lt. Col. and IDF spokesperson Nadav Shoshani, as well as a clip with him speaking over live gunfire in the background. Just another routine day along the border. I thought that background context was important before we dive into the conversation with Ilan Cohen.

This is the reality we live with in Israel and, particularly, along the border with the Gaza Strip, not far from where I live.

Please note that we are now providing AI-generated chapters, which I think are enormously helpful. Hope you do as well. And keep your eyes peeled for our email dispatch dropping on Monday. New Year. New things coming from State of Tel Aviv and Beyond. Have a lovely weekend. Celebrate life and miracles. And what a miracle we witnessed in the skies a few days ago. Unreal.

We are heading into a very tough week. The third “anniversary”/commemoration of October 7. Thanks for being here.

Timestamps

00:00 Issues dominating Israel’s election - focus on Gaza border security01:01 State of Tel Aviv and Beyond request for support02:42 Who is Ilan Cohen? Head of security at Kibbutz Re’im03:33 October 7th CCTV: Hamas at the Re’im gate07:02 From Kissufim to Re’im: how the attack unfolded08:17 Embedded with the IDF on the Yellow Line09:32 Inside the fight against Hamas tunnels13:44 Live gunfire during the IDF briefing14:39 Is the Gaza border more dangerous than before Oct 7?15:23 Interview: Ilan Cohen on life in the Gaza Envelope16:47 “Nobody learned anything from October 7th”19:07 Hamas is testing the border again21:28 Why 96% of Re’im residents came home22:46 The October 7th Council report: ignored warnings23:30 Kibbutz defense squads vs. relying on the IDF24:48 Would the IDF show up today?26:57 Has Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visited the border?27:55 Wrap-up

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