Avida Bachar, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri who lost his wife and son in the October 7 massacre, spoke about the proposed framework for an agreement in the Gaza Strip published by the Board of Peace and the future of the communities surrounding Gaza.
In an interview with 103FM, Bachar sharply criticized the possibility of Hamas remaining in Gaza and said he does not believe the terror group will agree to disarm.
“I look at what is happening close to my home. Close to me means four kilometers from the border fence. Hamas continues to grow stronger," Bachar said. “They are talking about some kind of agreement that supposedly leaves Hamas disarmed. That is not going to happen."
Bachar said Israel must change its approach and act with greater determination against Hamas.
“I don’t think they are that stupid," he said. “We lack the determination to understand that we do not want them there. That’s it. We need to be determined and say that we do not want them there, and we should say it every day."
Bachar called on the international community to work toward removing Hamas and Gaza’s residents from Gaza.
“We need to start pushing with all our strength and tell the world to take them, because they cannot remain here," he said.
Bachar stressed that he does not want Israel to settle in Gaza, but also does not want the territory to remain under Hamas control.
“I want October 7 to be remembered as a Nakba for them. I want them to understand that they no longer have the land, that it is no longer theirs, and that this whole thing is over," he said. “I do not want to settle there. But I certainly do not want it to remain theirs. And right now, they are still there."
He warned that the close proximity of Gaza to the communities in the Gaza envelope demonstrates the danger posed by leaving the current situation unchanged.
“There is a yellow line. They will drive another three minutes, or a minute and a half, on the road to Be’eri and the communities surrounding Gaza for the next massacre. And tomorrow it could happen in Tel Aviv as well," Bachar said. “That is the real problem. We are not moving forward at all."
Bachar also addressed understandings reached between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“President Trump counts on determined people. Look at the Iranians - they have incredible determination," he said. “I wish we had the determination to tell the world that the Arabs in Gaza cannot remain there. Not even one of them."
Bachar said that greater Israeli determination could bring about the changes he believes are necessary.
“If we were determined, it would happen," he said. “If we do not believe in our ability to bring about this change, then what will happen? The entire world wants this to remain in Israel’s hands, and Israel is doing nothing about it."
Bachar also addressed an offer he received from the Likud party to reserve him a spot on its electoral list and whether he intends to enter politics.
He said he does not want to assume political responsibility that does not align with his views.
“I am not going anywhere where there is no responsibility. I am not taking responsibility, and I do not even want to examine what the responsibility was," Bachar said. “Someone who ignores a situation? I cannot be part of that. I am far from that."
“I reject it completely. Right now, I am rebuilding my home, my family and my kibbutz," he added.