The Gates of Gaza
A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel's Borderlands
By Amir Tibon | Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
About the book
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award | Winner of the 2026 Wingate Prize | Winner of the Bernstein Prize | Winner of the 2026 Sami Rohr Prize
The Gates of Gaza is a gripping first-person account of how one Israeli grandfather helped rescue two generations of his family on October 7, 2023—a saga that reveals the deep tensions and systemic failures behind Hamas's attacks that day.
On the morning of October 7, Amir Tibon and his wife were awakened by mortar rounds exploding near their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a progressive Israeli community less than a mile from Gaza City.
Soon, they were holding their two young daughters in the family’s reinforced safe room, urging them not to cry as gunfire echoed just outside the door. With his cell phone battery running low, Amir texted his father: “The girls are behaving really well, but I’m worried they’ll lose patience soon and Hamas will hear us.”
Some 45 miles north, Amir’s parents had just cut short an early morning swim along the shores of Tel Aviv. Now, they jumped in their Jeep and sped toward Nahal Oz, armed only with a pistol but intent on saving their family at all costs.
In The Gates of Gaza, Amir Tibon tells this harrowing story in full for the first time. He describes his family's ordeal—and the bravery that ultimately led to their rescue—alongside the histories of the place they call home and the systems of power that have kept them and their neighbors in Gaza in harm’s way for decades.
More than one family's odyssey, this is the intimate story of a tight-knit community and the broader saga of war, occupation, and hostility between two national movements—a conflict that has not yet extinguished the enduring hope for peace.
Editions of The Gates of Gaza
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780316580960
- EBook
- ISBN 9780316580984
Read an Excerpt
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award | Winner of the 2026 Wingate Prize | Winner of the Bernstein Prize | Winner of the 2026 Sami Rohr Prize
The Gates of Gaza is a gripping first-person account of how one Israeli grandfather helped rescue two generations of his family on October 7, 2023—a saga that reveals the deep tensions and systemic failures behind Hamas's attacks that day.
On the morning of October 7, Amir Tibon and his wife were awakened by mortar rounds exploding near their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a progressive Israeli community less than a mile from Gaza City.
Soon, they were holding their two young daughters in the family’s reinforced safe room, urging them not to cry as gunfire echoed just outside the door. With his cell phone battery running low, Amir texted his father: “The girls are behaving really well, but I’m worried they’ll lose patience soon and Hamas will hear us.”
Some 45 miles north, Amir’s parents had just cut short an early morning swim along the shores of Tel Aviv. Now, they jumped in their Jeep and sped toward Nahal Oz, armed only with a pistol but intent on saving their family at all costs.
In The Gates of Gaza, Amir Tibon tells this harrowing story in full for the first time. He describes his family's ordeal—and the bravery that ultimately led to their rescue—alongside the histories of the place they call home and the systems of power that have kept them and their neighbors in Gaza in harm’s way for decades.
More than one family's odyssey, this is the intimate story of a tight-knit community and the broader saga of war, occupation, and hostility between two national movements—a conflict that has not yet extinguished the enduring hope for peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Gates of Gaza about?
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award | Winner of the 2026 Wingate Prize | Winner of the Bernstein Prize | Winner of the 2026 Sami Rohr Prize
The Gates of Gaza is a gripping first-person account of how one Israeli grandfather helped rescue two generations of his family on October 7, 2023—a saga that reveals the deep tensions and systemic failures behind Hamas's attacks that day.
On the morning of October 7, Amir Tibon and his wife were awakened by mortar rounds exploding near their home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a progressive Israeli community less than a mile from Gaza City.
Soon, they were holding their two young daughters in the family’s reinforced safe room, urging them not to cry as gunfire echoed just outside the door. With his cell phone battery running low, Amir texted his father: “The girls are behaving really well, but I’m worried they’ll lose patience soon and Hamas will hear us.”
Some 45 miles north, Amir’s parents had just cut short an early morning swim along the shores of Tel Aviv. Now, they jumped in their Jeep and sped toward Nahal Oz, armed only with a pistol but intent on saving their family at all costs.
In The Gates of Gaza, Amir Tibon tells this harrowing story in full for the first time. He describes his family's ordeal—and the bravery that ultimately led to their rescue—alongside the histories of the place they call home and the systems of power that have kept them and their neighbors in Gaza in harm’s way for decades.
More than one family's odyssey, this is the intimate story of a tight-knit community and the broader saga of war, occupation, and hostility between two national movements—a conflict that has not yet extinguished the enduring hope for peace.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Gates of Gaza?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government
Where can I read a sample of The Gates of Gaza?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780316580960
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Gates of Gaza?
Amir Tibon
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Gates of Gaza is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780316580960) and ebook(ISBN 9780316580984)
Where can I buy The Gates of Gaza online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Gates of Gaza from below
Where can I buy The Gates of Gaza?