The Gates of Gaza: A Story of Betrayal, Survival, and Hope in Israel's Borderlands by Amir Tibon (Little, Brown) has won the $100,000 2026 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature, which is awarded "to an emerging author writing in or translated into English" in association with the National Library of Israel.
Organizers said that in the winning title, "Tibon weaves together personal testimony, historical context and incisive reporting to chronicle the devastating events of October 7 and their impact on Israel's border communities. Through the story of his family and neighbors in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, he offers a powerful account of tragedy, resilience and survival while illuminating the broader realities of life along the Gaza border."
Tibon said in part, "The mission of the Rohr Prize has never been more important, as we confront a rising tide of antisemitism around the globe and its unique ripples within the world of books and literature. I'm grateful to the judging panel for choosing to recognize my work at this crucial moment."