NATAN Emergency Clinics
From Daniel Kahn, NATAN Chair
I have just returned from Ofakim, a tranquil town only 16 miles from Gaza, which endured the loss of 53 citizens on October 7.
Dr. Eitan Shachar, the head of NATAN's psychosocial team, was among the very first responders to arrive in Ofakim on that fateful Shabbat night. As he recounted the images of lifeless bodies strewn across the streets, he emphasized a stark contrast to other global disasters he has witnessed: The level of stress in Ofakim is not subsiding. Rather, the despair and an overwhelming sense of isolation are amplifying the trauma.