KKL Switzerland is contributing to this new KKL-JNF project in line with its priorities to develop the Gaza Envelope for tourism and recreation and in the framework of KKL-JNF’s Israel 2040 plan.
Construction work on the Gush Katif Memorial project. Photo: Nili Biver, KKL-JNF
At the end of October, KKL-JNF completed the construction of an observation tower near Kibbutz Kissufim in the Gaza envelope. The tower overlooks what used to be the Katif Bloc in the southern Gaza Strip. Prior to the Israeli evacuation from Gaza, Gush Katif was home to 17 Jewish communities.
The new KKL-JNF project to commemorate the former communities of Gush Katif is currently taking shape in the Kissufim area of the Eshkol Regional Council. The project includes an observation tower, a commemorative trail and a series of green seating areas that will represent different Gush Katif communities. It will be open to visitors once the third and final phase of the project is completed.
Advancing the Gaza Envelope region - including the development of green areas for tourism, relaxation and recreation - is of top priority to KKL-JNF’s friends in Switzerland, who contributed to this project. Developing opportunities for tourism and recreation is also crucial in the context of KKL-JNF's ambitious Israel 2040 project.
The new observation tower rises to a height of 15 meters, with an observation deck facing the area where the Gush Katif communities once stood. KKL-JNF is continuing work on the next two stages of the project.
The next stage is to develop the commemorative walking path that will pass through a grove of trees. The final stage will be the construction of a series of sitting areas adjacent to the path. Each compound will be named for a different evacuated community, and will contain information on the place and its residents. Visitors will be able to climb the tower, see the where the former Gush Katif communities used to sit, and then walk along the path and enjoy the seating areas commemorating these communities.
KKL-JNF Southern Region Director Daniel Gigi said: "This project is greatly meaningful to all KKL-JNF staff. The project aims to enable the former residents of Gush Katif to remember the communities they left and visitors to learn about the history of the State of Israel and this region. We are already working on the next stages of the project. In due course, we will invite the general public to come and climb the new observation tower, learn about the former site of these localities, and the historical events that took place here."