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Each circle features an oak tree dedicated to a fallen soldier, with the design shaped in consultation with families. A memorial wall engraved with names stands alongside the plaza.
By Shula Rosen
The Gvar’am Forest amphitheater, silent for decades, was officially reopened in early September as Israel’s first national memorial for the 68 IDF soldiers killed in Operation Protective Edge.
The ceremony, attended by bereaved families, officials, and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) representatives, marked the transformation of the historic site into a place of both remembrance and renewal along the Gaza border.
The project was carried out by KKL-JNF’s Southern Region in cooperation with the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and the Tekuma Directorate.
The restored site includes a 1,400-seat amphitheater for cultural events and a circular memorial plaza with 68 commemoration circles.
Each circle features an oak tree dedicated to a fallen soldier, with the design shaped in consultation with families. A memorial wall engraved with names stands alongside the plaza.
The grounds also highlight Israel’s native landscape, with a botanical garden showcasing local plants such as hairy viper’s grass, globe thistle, and spiny broom.
Wildflowers and trees have been planted throughout, symbolizing continuity and resilience.
Operation Protective Edge, launched in July 2014, lasted nearly 50 days and cost the lives of 68 soldiers and five civilians.
The memorial’s location, only a short distance from Gaza communities that endured heavy rocket fire during the war, was intentionally chosen to reflect the sacrifices tied to the region.
KKL-JNF Chairwoman Ifat Ovadia-Luski said in a press release that the site embodies life and continuity: “The amphitheater will carry the memory of the fallen, but above all it will be filled with people, children, and families coming to celebrate and live life. That is the true victory.”
Hof Ashkelon Regional Council head Itamar Revivo described the reopening as a bridge between eras: “For 40 years, no artist stood here. Now, every performance will carry the memory of the soldiers who made it possible.”
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