The project was led by KKL-JNF, through its Southern Region, in partnership with the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the Tekuma Directorate. The renewed site features two central elements: a restored 1,400-seat amphitheater for cultural and community events, and a circular memorial plaza with 68 commemoration circles. Each circle contains an oak tree planted in memory of a fallen soldier, with design features created in consultation with bereaved families. A memorial wall listing the names of the fallen was built alongside the plaza.
The site also incorporates a botanical garden featuring native Israeli wild plants such as hairy viper’s grass, prostrate viper’s bugloss, spiny broom, and globe thistle. Additional native trees and wildflowers have been planted throughout the complex. The landscaping reflects the vision of merging memory with the local environment, creating a living sense of continuity and renewal.
Operation Protective Edge, launched in July 2014, lasted nearly 50 days and was one of the most difficult and prolonged operations the IDF has ever conducted in the Gaza Strip. It claimed the lives of 68 soldiers and five civilians. The Gvar’am site is the first official memorial established in their honor. Its location, just a short distance from the Gaza border, an area that endured heavy rocket fire during the operation, was deliberately chosen, making the site itself an inseparable part of the story.
Ifat Ovadia-Luski, Chairwoman of KKL-JNF, said: “The amphitheater inaugurated here, close to the Gaza border, will carry the memory of the fallen of Protective Edge. But above all, it will be filled with people, children and families coming to celebrate and live life, and that is the true victory. This place will connect the story of those who fought for this land with the generations who will continue to grow here. That has always been the mission of KKL-JNF: to build the land, to plant forests, to strengthen communities, and to secure life here for generations to come.”
Itamar Revivo, Head of the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council, said: “For 40 years, no artist stood here to bring joy to people. The reopening of the Gvar’am amphitheater is much more than a cultural event. It is a moment that connects past, present, and future. The renewed amphitheater will provide a stage for moving performances and community experiences in the heart of our region’s natural beauty. Above all, it stands as a symbol of remembrance and gratitude for the IDF soldiers who fell in Operation Protective Edge. At every performance and every moment of joy here, we will remember those thanks to whom we are here today. I invite the residents of the council and the wider public to come, enjoy and remember. I thank KKL-JNF and the Tekuma Directorate for their fruitful cooperation on behalf of our residents and the region.”
Aviad Friedman, Head of the Tekuma Directorate, said: “The reopening of the Gvar’am amphitheater is a symbol of rehabilitation and healing for the entire region following the events of October 7. It is also a reminder of the importance of defending our right to live here with dignity, lives that include culture, community, art, and more. The Tekuma Directorate places great importance on investing in all aspects of life in the region, and we believe the amphitheater will become a cultural and tourism landmark, serving not only local residents but visitors from across Israel.”
Shmuel Lavi, father of Captain Liad Lavi z”l, who fell in Operation Protective Edge, said: “My son went out to fight for his home. For us, Operation Protective Edge was not just an operation, it was a war for our existence, for our lives here. In the 11 years that have passed since, the pain has not lessened, and we have come to understand that this was not a passing moment but an ongoing reality. It was important to us that there be a place to commemorate our loved ones, not just a quiet memorial, but a living, breathing site that connects culture, nature, and remembrance. A place that people will visit, that will honor and illuminate the story of every one of the fallen, and that will become an integral part of Israeli life for years to come.”
Photo: Boni Sheinman, KKL-JNF Photo Archive