In contrast to the kibbutzim in the area, the Ofakim Municipality and officials in the Sderot Municipality say they are willing to participate in the ceremony, with Ofakim going so far as to offer to host it.
The couple became a viral sensation online with the story of how Rachel served Hamas terrorists cookies while waiting for security forces to rescue them.
As part of the ongoing operation to find all remains of the October 7th massacre, the Israel Police have located a Hamas motorcycle and remains of Hamas weaponry in a private house in southern Israel.
New footage and radio recordings detail how the outnumbered officers of the Ofakim police station fought the Hamas invasion on October 7th, many with only handguns against Kalashnikovs and RPGs.
Rachel Ederi offered cookies to the terrorists who took her and her husband hostage. Now she has decided to share the recipe with the world.
MK Almog Cohen says he is still suffering psychological trauma from the Hamas invasion, during which he fought to defend Ofakim.
Many of them have at least one family member fighting for their lives in the hospital.
Living through the October 7th massacre has changed them forever.
In a brutal instant, seven children became orphans, their world unhinged by an act of unimaginable cruelty.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, together with Minister Eli Cohen, speaks with residents who were held hostage by Hamas.
David Edri, held hostage with his wife by 5 terrorists in their home in Ofakim: "I don't know how we got out alive "
Volunteer EMT performed successful CPR in Ofakim in southern Israel on a man who collapsed just before Shabbat began.
Fire breaks out in apartment in Ofakim, west of Be'er Sheva. Paramedics treat two victims.
8-year-old girl mauled by pack of 10 dogs in southern Israel recalls harrowing attack. 'I tried to call for my father, but I couldn't.'
Israeli girl hospitalized in moderate condition after being attacked by pack of dogs in town of Ofakim in the western Negev.
String of thefts of electric bicycles in haredi neighborhood linked to local teen.
14 Bedouin families have purchased land in the national-religious community, infuriating locals and freezing sales to Israeli Jews.
Rabbi Shimon Amar of Ofakim named as rabbi arrested two weeks ago for molesting girls who came to him for guidance.
Parents at Ofakim kindergarten refuse to send their children until guards placed to supervise Arab workers right at the gates.
Unnamed rabbi from Ofakim will be brought for a remand hearing in Beersheva on Thursday.
While Egypt is reportedly working on a ceasefire agreement, Gaza terrorists fire 17 rockets on Israelis.
Two missiles intercepted by Iron Dome over Tel Aviv.
Young Zionist activists travel to southern Israel to show unity with dancing, celebration.
Southern town's mayor agrees with Be'er Sheva's that school should remain closed until rockets stop exploding.
Hundreds of children from Ofakim arrive for a day of fun at the Ice Festival in Jerusalem, after a week under the threat of rockets.
Gaza rocket attacks on southern Israel aren't going to end this year, warned Home Front Command director Matan Vilnai'i.
Two men in Ofakim are accused of attacking an Arab family. They say the family had harassed local girls for years.
An Islamic Jihad terrorist in Gaza was reportedly killed in an IAF retaliatory strike after at least 7 rockets were fired into Israel.
A 38-year-old Ofakim man died Saturday night of wounds sustained in a Gaza missile attack on Be'er Sheva, leaving a pregnant wife.
