Six Lives Dedicated to Cross-Border Work Lost in October 7 Attack, Including Bedouin-Israeli Driver

Brighton – Sami al-Jerjawi, a 51-year-old Bedouin-Israeli van driver, was tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, at the Sha’ar Hanegev Junction. Five Gazan workers he was transporting to their jobs in Israeli kibbutzim were also killed in the attack. The incident, which occurred as al-Jerjawi performed his regular duty of bringing Gazans to their workplaces, highlighted the devastating impact of the assault on individuals fostering cross-border relations.

Al-Jerjawi, from the unrecognized Bedouin village of Wadi al-Na’am, had been transporting Gazan laborers for many years, often rising at 4 a.m. for the task. He was the sole Israeli citizen in the silver Volkswagen van when it came under fire. His cousin, Nissem Jerjawi, emphasized that Sami "respected everyone alike," regardless of their background, working for a Jewish employer and driving Arab workers.

Among the Gazan victims was Hashem Barawi, 59, from Beit Lahiya, who had worked in Israeli agriculture for 40 years. Barawi, like many others, held a legal work permit and was a familiar figure in southern Israeli communities. His brother, Nabil Barawi, confirmed that Hashem and the other workers killed were "ordinary workers with legitimate work cards," dispelling any mischaracterization.

The tragic deaths underscore a broader sentiment expressed by Heidi Bachram on social media, who stated, "Hamas don’t even care about their own people. They murdered anyone who coexisted that day. They killed peace." This perspective highlights the targeting of individuals who embodied peaceful interaction and economic cooperation between communities. Bedouin citizens, who often have deep familial ties across the border, were disproportionately affected by the October 7 attacks, with at least 17 Bedouins killed and several others kidnapped.

The loss of Sami al-Jerjawi, a father of 30, and the Gazan workers he transported, represents not just individual tragedies but also a profound blow to the fragile threads of coexistence in the region. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the targeting of those who sought to bridge divides through their daily lives and work.