Gaza Envelope (Otef)/Nova Festival Memorial Tour
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from your location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(24)
This was one of the most powerful, moving and meaningful tours I have ever experienced. Simon Oster Tour Guide was exceptional—knowledgeable, engaging and incredibly well-informed. What made the tour so special was Simon’s ability to connect us with the stories of the terrible atrocities of the 7th October behind the places we visited. Every stop was thoughtfully explained, and the day was handled with great sensitivity and respect. We never felt rushed, and all questions were welcomed and answered thoroughly. I would highly recommend this tour with Simon Oster Tour Guide to anyone living in or visiting Israel. Thank you Simon for an unforgettable day and an outstanding experience.
What a wonderful albeit emotional day we had touring the Gaza envelope Simon is sooooo knowledgeable, a truly convivial, relaxed and warm gentleman to boot. At every turn on our many stops he had such fascinating stories that only enhanced our experience. Not to mention he picked us up in a super comfy roomy car and is an excellent driver, and was so lovely, courteous and completely watching for our pace as we made our stops along an emotionally impactful journey through the Gaza envelope many kibbutz and many profound memorials. His knowledge and insight into all was stellar. If you’re looking through reviews just stop right here !! Simon is super special and we look forward to touring with him again. We have been to Israel many times but we will so enjoy exploring other adventures again together with him! Thank you dear Simon! Hilary and Andres K
Our experience with Simon was outstanding. He is knowledgeable, experienced and professional. In addition he is engaging and had us involved during the entire tour. He was warm, sensitive and a pleasure to tour with. This is one tour we we will never forget!
Thank You Simon for a unforgettable day This Gaza Envelope tour was one of the most meaningful and impactful experiences I’ve ever had. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, sensitive, and respectful, providing deep historical context while centering the human stories behind the places we visited.
Our tour with Simon was fantastic. He is very knowledgeable and kind. I learned a lot and was able to see so much in one day.
Simon was a most informative tour guide. He had lots to share regarding the history of the event as well as biblical and modern history of Israel. This is an emotional tour and he set the proper tone at all venues. Would truly recommend Simon for this and probably any of his other tours. He was also very accommodating with our schedule. 5 Stars!!!
Simon gave us an excellent tour of the Otef. He was extremely accommodating to our various needs. His comprehensive knowledge of history, combined with his sensitivity, resulted in a very meaningful day which helped shape our understanding of the atrocities that occurred on October 7th.
Amazing tour! Simons personal experience made it that much more poignant. Such a caring and knowledgeable tour guide. Simon shows such consideration for everyone on the tour, and he can relate to all ages and backgrounds.! Would like to do many more tours with him!
I would like to highly recommend Simon, the tour operator who guided my family through the Otef Gaza region. We began the day with some understandable apprehension, but Simon immediately set a thoughtful and reassuring tone by starting our visit at Yad Mordechai, where he gave an excellent overview of the area’s history, beginning with the earliest modern Jewish communities. Throughout the day, Simon took us to a number of important sites close to the Gaza border, including a viewpoint over the region, the grounds where a major music event had taken place, several protected structures used by local residents, & neighbourhoods that were significantly affected. We finished our tour at the location of the Sderot police station, an important landmark in recent events. Simon was exceptionally knowledgeable, & he presented everything with clarity, balance, & great sensitivity. Despite the challenging nature of the subject matter, he made the experience meaningful, accessible, & deeply informative. His professionalism, empathy, & understanding of the region were evident throughout the day. Simon is a licensed Israeli tour guide, & based on this experience, I would not hesitate to hire him again to explore other parts of Israel. I wholeheartedly recommend him.
Wonderful moving experience to see how inhuman Hamas were. Just animals. Learned and saw so much of the horror they inflicted on totally innocent people. Wonderful guide, explains everything fully. Well worth the money.
