Israeli Pastors Witness Scars of Terror on Gaza Border Tour
By Ryan Tsuen, ICEJ Art & Design Officer
The scars from the mass terror attacks on October 7 are etched deep in the hearts and minds of the Israeli people, though surprisingly, many have yet to visit the area to see for themselves where the atrocities took place due to the ongoing security threat and strict rules on entering the devastated communities. However, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s close relations with regional councils allowed us to arrange a special Gaza border tour for local Israeli pastors and ministry leaders. Some 20 ministers joined us to bear witness to what happened there firsthand. Though the traumatic events of that dark day took place months ago, the journey to southern Israel still reveals the carnage of the “Black Shabbat” massacres, which left wounds still lingering within the entire nation.
Tekuma’s “Car Graveyard”
Near the farming village of Tekuma lies a chilling memorial site filled with over 1,300 burned-out vehicles. It is widely known as the “car graveyard.” Each rusting vehicle holds a story of immense heartbreak. It reminds us of the horrific way Hamas terrorists massacred many victims. The sheer number of cars, some of which contained entire families before they were killed, speaks to the brutality that unfolded as they tried to escape for their lives.
As our guide described the towering wall of destruction, she explained that identifying victims was a slow and painstaking process. Some previously buried ashes were later exhumed in an agonizing search for answers, revealing to some families their worst nightmares of lost loved ones. The site also contains some of the terrorists’ vehicles as a grim reminder of their meticulous planning. A heap of burned motorcycles, a tractor, and even a mobility scooter paint a picture of a ruthless assault that targeted everyone in their path.
Nova Music Festival Site
The Gaza border tour included a visit to the Nova music festival site near Re’im. Here another memorial marks the senseless murder of nearly 400 innocent young lives and the cruel abduction of some 80 others. The encirclement by Hamas terrorists and the ensuing chaos on the roads left many trapped and unable to flee death or captivity. As the tour participants walked through the many makeshift memorials of lives lost on October 7—attempts that grieving families made to hang onto the memories of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters—they were broken.
Next they continued to Kibbutz Re’im, a once vibrant community. It is now reduced to some 50 residents who chose to remain in the village and maintain its grounds. Their resilience amid such a harsh reality is a sign of hope. A briefing from the local security chief offered a glimpse into the horror of that morning. However, like other nearby communities, Re’im benefited from lifesaving communications devices provided by ICEJ donors. This served as a stark reminder of the constant struggle for security in the region.
Kibbutz Nir Oz
Our final stop on the Gaza border tour was visiting Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities. The community now resembles a ghost town. It is shrouded in silence and, in some spots, the residue of death. Burned homes, a ravaged community kitchen, and the heavy silence spoke volumes of the unimaginable loss suffered there. Yet, amid all the charred debris, there was a flicker of hope. A local resident of the area, Iftach, spoke to our group and, on the verge of tears, emphasized the residents’ desire to rebuild the only place that they know as home.
Reflections on the Gaza Border Tour
As the day ended, everyone on the Gaza border tour was contemplative. So we asked the question: “How do you feel after seeing all this?” Sarah responded, “Heartbroken.” Her answer resonated with the whole group. The weight of the tragedy was etched on everyone’s face. Many said the visit would help them better minister to their congregations and fellow Israelis still impacted by the immense pain and loss felt across the nation.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to visit the kibbutzim invaded by Hamas on October 7,” said another ministry leader. I have wanted to do this for some time. [It was] Sobering, to say the least.”
“It was an extremely valuable and challenging experience,” added one pastor’s wife. “We have been talking much together about our impressions. It has given us so much to think about, and we will be praying with more understanding.”
While walking through the destruction at Nir Oz, we listened to the story of a young lady, Sapir Cohen. Sapir was taken hostage from the kibbutz along with her boyfriend Sasha and his mother and grandmother. Sapir recounted being drawn to recite Psalm 27 days before the attacks of October 7, not knowing fully why, until that fateful morning. That’s when she came to realize it would become her light and hope during the long, traumatic days while in captivity in Gaza. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (v. 1)
Join the Israel Encounter Pastors Solidarity Tour to Israel this year, September 16–25, where you will not only see your Bible come to life but engage with local leaders and hear about current events in the region.
Learn more at: www.icejusa.org/pt924