Visiting Sderot and the Location of the October 7 Attacks
Over 300 people were killed on October 7 during the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in Sderot and the Nova music festival. Today, the location of the attacks is open to in-person visitors through guided tours. It’s an emotional experience intended for those looking to grieve the lives lost on this tragic day.
Visiting the location of the attacks is sad and intense. The area where the dance floor once stood is covered in pictures of the victims and hundreds of handwritten notes from their families. You’ll see the cars that once belonged to festival attendees there, now fragments of their former selves after being burned or run over by tanks. What remains is a graveyard of the massacre that happened there. The trucks and motorcycles used by Hamas were also left behind, more haunting remnants of the attack. Today, thousands of flowers bloom on the grounds in the springtime, and trees have begun to grow – one planted for every victim of the music festival.
The guided tour of the Gaza Envelope is meant for visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Israel’s recent history and ongoing conflict. It offers a real-life look at the brutal reality of war. Through this experience, visitors can take part in a powerful act of remembrance rooted in learning and listening.
