Driving through the western Negev today, it’s hard to reconcile the quiet landscapes with what happened here not long ago. But the signs are still everywhere—bullet holes in buildings, torched vehicles, handwritten memorials, and the heavy silence that follows unimaginable violence.

One of the first places I visited was the site of the Nova Festival near Re’im. It’s just an open field, bordered by eucalyptus trees. The festival was meant to celebrate life. On the morning of October 7th, it became one of the central scenes of the massacre. Hundreds were killed or kidnapped. Many tried to flee in their cars. You can still see the burned remains, preserved now as part of an effort to remember—not forget.

In Sderot, the shock is visible. The police station—attacked and overtaken—was later demolished, and the empty lot now says more than any structure could. This wasn’t just about rockets. This was close combat, door to door, inside homes.

Further south, in Ofakim, the assault lasted for hours. Armed attackers moved through the streets. Civilians were taken hostage inside their apartments. Some residents defended themselves with kitchen knives and bare hands. Others talked their way out. You hear these stories again and again: people thinking quickly, doing whatever they could to survive.

Each place carries its own weight. There’s no single narrative, just hundreds of them—different, personal, raw.

Visiting these sites isn’t easy. But it’s important. It’s not about politics. It’s about witnessing what happened on a human level. You see the pain, but also the bravery, the chaos, and the moments of clarity that break through even in disaster.

For Israelis, October 7th is not a headline. It’s something that reshaped every part of life. And for visitors, coming here is a way to bear witness. To say: “I saw it. I heard it. I remember.”

I don’t offer this tour to sensationalize horror. I offer it because we owe it to the victims—to look, to know, and not to forget.

— If you're ready to visit these sites with the respect they deserve, I invite you to join me. Private and small group tours available. This is not an easy journey, but it is an important one.