Gaza Envelope (Otef)/Nova Festival Memorial Tour

5.0 (29 reviews) 9 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

29 reviews

5.0

Am Yisrael Chai — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Remember — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Join Imagine Israel Tours for a guided journey through the Gaza Envelope (Otef Aza), Israel’s most emotionally powerful & historically significant region in the wake of the October 7 2023, attacks.

This tour is more than history - it’s memory, resilience & a call to never forget. Throughout the tour, you'll also hear personal stories of friends, colleagues & family members affected on this difficult day.

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At a glance

Duration: 9 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–4
Guide: English
Operated by: Imagine Israel Tours

What is included

Included

Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle

Not included

Not included: Lunch will be in Kibbutz Alumim communal dining hall. The cost is 79 shekel per person.

Itinerary

Stop 1

30 min

We will stop at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai on the northern border with Gaza and learn about the history, geography and strategic importance of the area.
Stop 2

30 min

We will stop outside Moshav Nativ Ha’asara, the closest civilian community to Gaza & hear about the attack by terrorists on paragliders, that brought the war to this peaceful village.
Stop 3

45 min

We visit the Nahal Oz look out built in memory of the 16 yound observers murdered on October 7 and learn about the 7 young women kidnapped and what happened to them.
Stop 4

30 min

We stop outside Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the communities hardest hit during the deadly attack by Hamas, with 102 people murdered & 32 kidnapped into Gaza - 10 of them still there. This community's losses were among the worst that day. You will hear several stories of the horrors that families suffered. We also hear about a hero who gave his life to save his community and learn about what the future holds for this kibbutz.

We also go into the bomb shelter by the bus stop where Yuval Rafael, Israel's entrant to Eurovision 2015, was buried under dead bodies for 8 hours.
Stop 5

30 min

Road 232 Bomb Shelter: Pay your respects at this symbolic site, from where a number of young people were kidnapped, including Hersh Goldberg. Road 232 has recently been completely resurfaced after devastating damage from rockets, fires & RPGs. We also learn the story of Aner Shapira who gaves his life to save others trapped in the bomb shelter.
Stop 6

1 h 30 min

We enter the kibbutz for lunch in the communal dining hall. We visit the site where Bipin Joshi the heroic Nepalese worker was taken hostage and his friends from Nepal and Thailand were killed. We learn what happened on Kibbutz Alumim that day.
Stop 7

30 min

Shuva Achim Rest Station: an inspiring volunteer hub for soldiers, established by the Trabelsi brothers. Meet active-duty soldiers & express your support. (If you'd like to make a financial donation to the rest stop, or bring gifts for the soldiers, this is the perfect place to do it)
Stop 8

1 h 30 min

A deeply moving stop at the site of the Nova Music Festival near Kibbutz Re’im, where 364 young people were killed & 43 kidnapped. The site now serves as a spontaneous memorial where friends & families have created personal memories & tributes to their loved ones.
Stop 9

one hour

The 'Car Cemetery' near Moshav Tkuma: the haunting collection of 1,560 burned & destroyed vehicles recovered from the attacks - now serving as a temporary memorial. Stories of many of the vehicles' owners are available to read using QR codes erected nearby. These charred vehicles aren't just debris - they carry the stories & heartbreak of the people who once drove them.
Sderot

one hour

Visit to the site of the destroyed Sderot Police Station where a fierce battle took place on October 7th. Learn the story of Amer Odeh Abu Sabila, a heroic Bedouin construction worker who rescued 2 young girls after their parents were murdered. Amer was shot while saving them, but his bravery ensured the girls’ survival.