Gaza Border Visit

We’ll visit the Nova Festival memorial, the Route 232 shelters, and Sderot, hearing stories of loss, courage, and resilience. Along the way, we’ll also encounter the life that continues — from the inspiring Shuva Achim to Netivot, meeting more brave faces.

How the day is shaped

The day is shaped with sensitivity, focusing not only on tragedy, but on the people, communities, and strength of southern Israel. It is a day that asks something of you, and it is worth saying plainly that it is not a sightseeing itinerary.

Sderot — the Gaza lookout

Standing on the edge of Sderot and looking ahead, you understand just how close Gaza is. Hear the stories of a conflict that started long before October 7th.

Sderot — the police station

A police station that no longer stands. The site of a heroic battle in which many brave police officers lost their lives is now a memorial to Sderot’s fallen. Nearby we watch a short film walking through the battle, with more stories of survivors and heroes.

The Nova Festival memorial

Visit the site of the Nova Festival and hear the stories of those who were murdered, kidnapped, and rescued.

Shuva Achim

At the junction that once carried unimaginable horror, Moshav Shuva’s volunteer team runs Shuva Achim, a refreshment and support post for our forces, where I have personally stopped as well. Soldiers receive water, hot food, hygiene products, clothing and tailored equipment, with hugs and smiles, and the help grows every week as volunteers continue until every fighter returns home.

Tekuma — the burned cars

Bear witness to the massive collection of burned and destroyed vehicles recovered from the roads and communities attacked on October 7th — a haunting reminder of the scale of the attack.

Ofakim — how cookies defeated terrorists

On October 7th an elite Hamas force, the Nukhba, entered Ofakim. The bullet marks are still on the walls, and so are the incredible stories of residents who fought to protect their families and neighbors. When possible, we meet local family members and hear their stories firsthand.

Swapping options

Testimony encounter (subject to availability) — Time with a survivor. An additional fee applies; ask when you enquire.

The Road 232 bomb shelter — Some of the most widely known names came from this shelter: Aner Shapira, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Or Levy and Alon Ohel.

The Salad Trail — At a farm also hit on October 7th, see the most up-to-date agricultural technology, the “high tech” of farming. Free homing pigeons, eat from the tomato greenhouse, run through a maze.

The Baba Sali — The tomb of Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, a major pilgrimage site in the southern city of Netivot.

Practical notes

A full day, roughly eight to nine hours, mostly driving between the communities with walking at each stop.

This is not a sightseeing itinerary, and it asks something of you. It suits adult groups, educational groups and families paying respect; think carefully about younger children.

The south is exposed and hot in summer. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Access at some sites depends on current conditions. Yona will tell you honestly what is open when you enquire rather than promising a fixed list.