Sderot Inaugurates First Permanent Memorial for October 7 Victims

In a deeply emotional milestone, the city of Sderot has unveiled Israel’s first permanent memorial to the October 7 massacre, marking a significant step in preserving the memory of that harrowing day and honoring those who perished.

The “Survived to Tell” center, a collaborative effort between the Sderot Municipality and ISRAEL-is, is more than a monument it is a living memorial. Located just miles from Gaza, the site offers a visceral and educational experience through survivor testimonies, immersive virtual reality recreations, and poignant audio-visual narratives that tell the story of courage, chaos, and loss.

October 7th, 2023, remains etched in Israeli history as one of its darkest days. In Sderot, fighting erupted near the police station, the Mall 7 shopping center, and the Ahuza neighborhood. Hamas terrorists indiscriminately opened fire on civilians. In the early hours, the city’s small 22-member civilian security team armed only with pistols fought alongside local police until IDF reinforcements arrived. By the end, 53 lives were lost: 37 civilians, 11 police officers, two firefighters, and an IDF soldier. Two more soldiers died in subsequent rocket fire.

The new memorial serves as a platform for healing and truth. Visitors are guided through powerful stories, face Gaza at the lookout point, and encounter a virtual reality recreation that places them inside the events. The center was designed with the help of Stephen D. Smith, renowned for his work documenting Holocaust survivor testimony.

“This project is about honoring those we lost and giving voice to those who lived to tell the story,” said ISRAEL-is representatives. The organization, active since 2017, engages in grassroots diplomacy to share Israel’s reality with audiences around the world.

By establishing this permanent space, Sderot ensures that the legacy of its heroes and victims is never forgotten and that the lessons of October 7 live on for generations. Share this important story and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on how Israel remembers, rebuilds, and rises.