This tour is designed to understand the impact of the Hamas terror attack on October 7th 2023 and its continuing consequences for the region. It allows visitors to hear the stories of resilience, see memorials to those who were lost, and learn about the unique challenges of life along the Gaza border. Access to sites can change quickly due to security conditions.
Netiv HaAsara lies just a few hundred meters from the fence. From the edge of the community, Gaza’s rooftops are clearly visible, reminding visitors how close these families live to the source of frequent rocket fire. The memorial garden honors the 20 residents who lost their lives during the October 7th assault. The adjacent “Path to Peace” wall, a colorful ceramic mosaic created by residents and visitors, stands as a past hope of reconciliation and coexistence.
Route 232 became one of the deadliest roads in Israel’s history on October 7h. Many festival goers fleeing the Nova Music Festival drove this route, only to be ambushed by Hamas gunmen. Small roadside bomb shelters, once meant for quick refuge during rocket attacks, became desperate hiding places that in many cases failed to protect those inside. Some shelters bear bullet holes and scorch marks from grenades and gunfire. Pausing at these sites allows visitors to grasp the harrowing choices civilians faced that morning. Your guide will review how some were rescued while others were killed or kidnapped directly from these shelters.
Next is a viewpoint overlooking Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the hardest-hit communities during the October 7 attacks. Though the tour does not enter the kibbutz itself, the distant view reveals the scars left by fire, destruction, and loss. Your guide will recounts the chilling events of that morning: how terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz, how homes were burned, and how many residents were either murdered or taken hostage. Yet alongside tragedy, your guide will also point to the new neighborhhods built, and the recovery of the kibbutz’ local industries, testifying to the endurance of a community that is determined to rebuild.
This open field, surrounded by trees and farmland, is the site of one of the worst civilian massacres in Israel’s history. On October 7th 2023, thousands gathered here to dance and celebrate life, when Hamas terrorists stormed the site, killing hundreds and kidnapping many others. Today, the area is filled with memorials, rows of photographs, and ceramic flowers all placed by families and friends. Visitors walk quietly among them, reading stories and seeing the faces of the victims. The site is both heartbreaking and unifying, drawing Israelis and international visitors who come to pay respects and stand against such violence.
Located near moshav Shuva, this volunteer-run center has become a hub of care for soldiers stationed along the Gaza border. Visitors are welcome to witness and participate in the generosity of civilians who bring food, supplies, and emotional support daily. Conversations with soldiers often reveal a mixture of pride and determination to win this war. Guests are encouraged to participate by donating to the project and/or participating in some volunteer work.
The adjacent burnt cars display gathers dozens of vehicles destroyed during the October 7th attack, many taken from Route 232 and the Nova Festival area. Rows of twisted metal and scorched frames stand in silence, each car representing a life interrupted. Your guide can walk you through the display, narrating the stories tied to certain vehicles. The Burnt cars display is among the most visceral and unforgettable stops on the tour.
The city of Sderot has endured decades of rocket attacks due to its proximity to Gaza, but October 7h brought a direct assault by Hamas terrorists. The main memorial stands on the site of the former police station, where officers fought to protect civilians before the building was destroyed. The new monument honors those killed and the defenders who fell in the battle.
The tour concludes with a short drive to a lookout point where a former urban skyline of Gaza is visible. From this vantage point, your guide will offer some final reflections on the terror attack, current events and hopes for a more peaceful future.
