Community, Resilience and Meaning Among Older Adults from Upper Galilee Kibbutzim During the October 7, 2023 War: Evacuation Versus Staying in Place

Forced civilian evacuations driven by government decisions are rare but profoundly traumatic events. In Israel, such evacuations have occurred only a handful of times, yet the displacement following the October 7, 2023 war stands as the largest and most complex in the country’s history, carrying sweeping social, economic, and psychological consequences. This qualitative study employed a phenomenological and comparative case study design to explore the experiences of older adults from Upper Galilee kibbutzim during the war, comparing evacuees and non-evacuees to illuminate adaptation strategies, meaning-making processes, and the role of community in times of prolonged conflict. Three focus groups were conducted (N = 27, ages 72–89): evacuees residing in hotels, residents of frontline kibbutzim, and residents of rear-area kibbutzim. An inductive content analysis of the focus group transcripts mapped out nine themes, tracing the structural shifts in coping and adaptation across the three groups. Among evacuees, a distinct “evacuee identity” emerged, characterized by loss of autonomy, active meaning-seeking, and resilience sustained through structured daily routines, while community functioned simultaneously as a source of support and a stressor. Non-evacuees living farther from the frontline largely maintained routine and a sense of control, whereas those closer to active conflict reported heightened stress, disrupted services, and a strong attachment to home as a cornerstone of personal identity. The findings reveal distinct adaptive patterns across groups and propose a three-sphere framework of resilience. They also underscore the community’s dual role and highlight the need to strengthen community infrastructure and psychosocial support during prolonged conflict.