In the aftermath of the war with Hamas, close to 250,000 Israelis find themselves displaced from their homes and grappling with the challenge of maintaining a semblance of normality. These individuals, spread across various hotels in cities like Eilat, Tel Aviv, and Tiberias, are now forced to perform the rituals of their Jewish lives in unfamiliar surroundings.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, experienced the devastation inflicted by marauding terrorists on his community. Tragically, 85 of his neighbors lost their lives, while 75 more were taken hostage, including his son Sagui. Sagui, who was held captive in Gaza, recently became a father amidst the turmoil. Jonathan, now residing in a hotel room in Eilat with his family of 10, laments the loss of their former lives on the cooperative farm. The freedom and joy that came with his young grandchildren playing and running around the farms have been replaced with the confinement of hotel lobbies and corridors. He describes their current existence as that of refugees in their own country, unable to properly grieve as most of the bodies of their deceased loved ones are still held by Hamas.

Yuval Haran, who resided in Kibbutz Be'eri, also experienced immense loss and tragedy. Seven members of his family were taken hostage, with three of them losing their lives, including his father. Though six have since been returned through negotiations, his brother-in-law, Tal, remains in Gaza. In the nearly 100 days since October 7, when around 130 friends and neighbors were killed, Yuval has moved between eight different homes after the kibbutz was razed. Mourning has been put on hold as the focus remains on saving those who can still be rescued. In his own words, he expresses the sentiment shared by many, saying, "Nothing is normal. We are all breathing, but none of us are really alive."

Deby Sharon, a British-Israeli, finds herself subletting her son's apartment in Be'er Sheva while he serves on the front lines in Gaza. Her home in Moshav Yated, a small farming community on the Gaza periphery, is sorely missed. Deby longs for the familiarity of waking up in her own house without the constant worry of what the day will bring and whether they will ever truly feel safe again. The communes on Gaza's border, once seen as a potential haven for coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, now face an existential crisis. The hope for a peaceful future has been shattered, and many residents have lost faith. The recent escalation by Hamas has only heightened their fears, with the group proclaiming that October 7 was just the beginning.

Displaced from their homes, these Israelis find themselves navigating through a world turned upside down. Their lives have been put on hold, as they grapple with the loss of loved ones, the destruction of their communities, and the uncertain road ahead. Normalcy seems like a distant dream, and the constant threats and bombardments from Gaza perpetuate a feeling of unease and uncertainty. As they navigate this new reality, these individuals, along with countless others affected by the war, demonstrate immense resilience and strength in the face of overwhelming adversity.