Five hundred days

Five hundred days have passed since 7 October, and despite the passage of time, the changing of days into weeks and into months and then years, we are still stuck on that Black Saturday, the day when time stood still.

Time continues to stand still for us, at least emotionally. We cannot take that first step to healing until all of our hostages are home. The living and the dead, all of them.

Five hundred days in the hell of Gaza

The stories from the hostages who have returned home are horrific. Accounts of starvation, torture, psychological torment, and conditions too awful for words. Every second is critical for survival, and we still have hostages in those terror tunnels. We need the living to come home so that we can help them start to recover, and the dead laid to eternal rest with dignity. Over the past 500 days, there has also been tremendous activism from Israelis, who have fought every day to keep the hostages front and centre in the global conscience. Jewish communities and allies around the world have joined these efforts, fighting alongside us, making sure that their cities are covered in yellow ribbons and posters. Thank you! We know their names, we know their stories, and we will make sure that the world does as well until the last one returns home.

Five hundred days of war

When Hamas invaded and committed the atrocities it did on 7 October, it knew it would provoke a war. In his declaration that Israel was at war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said clearly, “We are at war, not an operation, but war.” I have lived in Israel for almost 15 years and in this time, experienced numerous military operations, waves of terror, and escalations. This is very different. War is brutal. War is loss – the loss of our young warriors, our civilians, homes destroyed, non-stop barrages from multiple fronts, and a massive impact on our economy and psyche. It’s huddling in our shelters as Iran rained down missiles. It’s decisions made based on the proximity to shelter. War is funerals and shivot and honour guards. War is falling to your knees in grief as the siren cries on Yom Hazikaron. War is hundreds of thousands of internal refugees forced to flee their homes from the north and the south. War is our children using words like “hostage” or “mamad” (shelter) in their everyday lexicon. War is pain. Some have asked me if I should not be used to the rockets by now. Does one ever get used to genocidal maniacs firing on our homes with intent to kill?

Five hundred days of mobilisation and support

On 8 October, every Israeli woke up with a mission. Despite our grief, we mobilised and got to work packing boxes, picking produce, fighting in the media, helping to collect whatever was needed for displaced citizens, comforting the bereaved, donating blood, digging graves, visiting the infirm, comforting the grieving, raising money, and serving wherever needed. On 7 October, we saw the worst of humanity. The very next day, Israelis showed up for each other and we haven’t stopped. We have shown the best of humanity. Our efforts may have changed iteration, but we are there, cleaning the kibbutzim, advocating for hostages, feeding our soldiers, comforting the bereaved, and getting through each day with our fierce reverence for life. Israelis have demonstrated how it is possible to navigate grief with resilience. We said we would dance again, and we intend to make good on that promise.

Five hundred days of supporting our warriors

Prior to 7 October, many wondered if Israel’s young people were also part of the TikTok addicted, safe space searching generation. On 7 October, Israel’s young people were weighed in the balance, and they have risen to every challenge magnificently. Without hesitating, many ran into the fire on that painful day and others didn’t hesitate to get on flights from wherever they were and return to defend their country. On air, land, sea, in the tunnels, and on the airwaves they defend us magnificently but the price has been painful. More than 800 of our sons and daughters have paid the ultimate price, and thousands more have been injured, many losing limbs. The internal scars will take much longer to heal. These lions of Zion, these modern-day Maccabees, we owe them a debt we can never repay.

Five hundred days of solidarity

You have stood with us, unwavering and resolute, proudly and loudly. There have been times when you have carried us on your shoulders. We have been watching as antisemitism spreads like wildfire around the world, and it has brought us closer. Like all families, we have our differences of opinions, but these past 500 days have taught us the meaning of Am Yisrael Chai! To our many allies who stand with us, we know how much this exposes you to the same hatred and intolerance, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Five hundred days of awakening

The events of 7 October didn’t just waken the slumbering beast of Jew hatred that had been bubbling under the surface, but an extraordinary response from the Jews all around the world. Antisemitism is at levels that we have not seen since World War II, and is rampant on campuses, on the streets of major cities, on social media, and has infiltrated institutions we once thought immune. While there is a minority of vocal anti-Zionist Jews, the vast majority around the world have responded by being more Jewish, more Zionist, and more proud of our identity. We have answered the ancient hatred with incredible Jewish pride!

Five hundred days for me

It is the privilege of my life that no matter how painful, my profession affords me the honour of bearing witness, of recording history, of telling the stories of our victims and remarkable heroes. It has also been 500 days of pain, trauma, and things I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I have seen the evidence that evil exists, and smelt the stench of death. I have cried more tears than I thought the human body could produce, and I know you have too.

This war has been the longest in Israel’s modern history. Some refer to it as the second war of independence as we fight for our survival. We have passed a difficult milestone. Five hundred days.

• Rolene Marks is a Middle East commentator often heard on radio and TV, and is the co-founder of Lay of the Land and the SA-Israel Policy Forum.