This private tour offers a deeply moving journey through locations scarred by the Hamas terror attack of October 7th 2023. It is intended for those who wish to pay tribute to the victims and gain a deeper understanding of the realities faced by communities living along the Gaza border.
The tour begins in Netiv Ha’asarah, the closest Israeli community to Gaza, which came under heavy attack on October 7th. Here you will visit the memorial garden honoring residents and defenders who lost their lives during the assault. Surrounded by the mosaic tiles of the “Path to Peace” wall, it highlights the contrast between the community’s peaceful nature and the presence of Hamas. From this location, the proximity to Gaza is striking and adds to the sense of the vulnerability of the community living so close to the border.
Travel along Route 232, a road that became a deadly trap for many escaping the Nova Music Festival. Small concrete bomb shelters line the route, many marked with bullet impacts and shrapnel damage from the Hamas terror attack. Some of these shelters became scenes of unimaginable tragedy as civilians sought protection from gunfire and abduction.
At Kibbutz Be’eri, access remains restricted, but an external viewpoint allows visitors to see burned and destroyed homes through the perimeter fence. The devastation is clear in the blackened walls and collapsed roofs, a stark contrast to the surrounding agricultural fields. Here, stories of loss and courage are shared, recounting the events of that morning when many residents were killed or taken hostage.
Continue to the Nova Music Festival site at Re’im Forest, where hundreds of young people were murdered or abducted on October 7th. The open field is now a place of remembrance filled with photographs, flowers, and memorials placed by grieving families and friends. Walking among these tributes is an intensely personal experience, bringing the human cost of the tragedy into sharp focus. Detailed guidance, accompanied by selected videos, provides a deeper connection to the events that unfolded here.
For those who wish, the tour can include a guided visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the communities hardest hit on October 7th. This option requires a minimum US$1000 contribution to the kibbutz recovery fund, which supports survivors and rebuilding efforts. Inside the kibbutz, the remains of destroyed homes and community structures tell the story of a place forever changed.
A stop at the Shuva Brothers rest place offers a view of life along the Gaza border today. Volunteers provide food, drinks, and encouragement to soldiers stationed nearby, some fighting in Gaza. This visit highlights the unity and care that emerged in the wake of tragedy, showing the strong bond between civilians and those protecting them.
Visit the adjacent Burnt Cars Display, where rows of charred vehicles from October 7th are preserved as a memorial. Many came from the Nova Music Festival site and the surrounding roads. A local guide can share the stories connected to specific vehicles, some belonging to entire families and others to individuals who never made it home. These accounts transform the vehicles from wreckage into silent memorials, each with its own story of escape, courage, or loss.
Conclude the tour in Sderot, the biggest city along the Gaza Envelope. Visit the memorial at the former police station, where officers fought and died defending the city on October 7th. The Pillars of Eternity monument rises above the memorial garden, symbolizing resilience and sacrifice. From a nearby lookout point, the view toward Gaza offers a moment to reflect on the journey and the stories shared throughout the day.
This “Bearing Witness” tour is emotionally challenging but deeply meaningful, aiming to foster understanding, empathy, and hope for a peaceful future in the region. By the end of the journey, participants gain not only a clearer picture of the events of October 7th, but also a deeper appreciation for the resilience of the local communities.
