Israeli rescuer Natan Kenig is still grappling with the trauma of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, three years on. He experiences daily flashbacks, which have forced him to seek therapy. As a 48-year-old volunteer with Zaka, an Orthodox Jewish group that collects remains of victims of violent deaths, Kenig has been trained to handle traumatic situations. However, the sheer scale of the October 7 attack has left him deeply scarred.
On October 7, 2023, Kenig responded to a colleague's alert and rushed to the Gaza border, where he encountered a scene of utter devastation. He found a row of burnt-out cars and lifeless bodies on the asphalt. The attack, which targeted the Nova music festival, resulted in the deaths of over 370 people, with a total of 1,221 fatalities across Israel. Kenig's experience that day has left an indelible mark on his psyche.
As a member of Zaka, Kenig has spent three decades collecting remains of victims of violent deaths. He is part of a 3,000-strong team that responds rapidly to scenes of attacks or accidents. On October 7, Kenig's training kicked in, and he threw himself into helping survivors and collecting bodies. However, the scale of the tragedy and the condition of the victims have left him deeply troubled.
Kenig recounted the difficulty of identifying victims, including those burnt in their cars or homes. In one instance, he collected just a few hundred grams of ash, a ring, and a sliver of a charred phone, without knowing how many people had died inside. It took a month and a half for four people to be identified and buried. The experience has left Kenig with a deep emotional scar.
The trauma of October 7 has affected Kenig's daily life, including his social interactions and work as a chef. He used to cook for private events, specializing in smoked meats, but now finds it difficult to continue. The memories of what he saw that day often resurface unexpectedly, forcing him to leave social gatherings. Despite this, Kenig refuses to feel sorry for himself, saying he is alive and determined to live.
Kenig's social media accounts reflect the change in his demeanor, with old pictures showing a radiant face now replaced by a sullen expression. However, he remains committed to preserving evidence of the attack, storing hundreds of photos and videos as a way to bear witness. This, he believes, is essential for the next generation, to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
As Israel prepares to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 attack, Kenig's story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing trauma faced by many Israelis. The attack led to a military offensive in Gaza, resulting in over 74,200 fatalities, according to Gaza's health ministry. For Kenig and others like him, the road to recovery will be long and arduous.
Key points
- Israeli rescuer Natan Kenig still relives October 7, 2023 attack trauma
- Kenig's experience has left him with a deep emotional scar
- The attack resulted in 1,221 fatalities across Israel
