Israel to hold flower pilgrimage event in war-ravaged Gaza border region for first time since Oct 7 attack

The State of Israel will hold its annual flower pilgrimage event in February for the first time since Hamas terrorists invaded Israel at the Gaza border, killing 1,200 civilians and taking 251 hostages. The event is intended to symbolize the revival of the region after 16 months of war between Israel and Hamas.

Each spring, the arid desert landscape bursts into color as vibrant red anemone flowers blanket the region. This natural spectacle is celebrated annually through this popular local event. The festivities normally include tours, open-air markets, biking and running races, culinary events and various music performances.

However, this year’s event will be toned down due to the destruction in local communities and the Israeli hostages still being held captive in the Gaza Strip.

“We were asked last year not to hold the event,” explained Doron Ashtan Nachmani, who heads the Shikma-Bsor Tourism Association, which co-hosts the annual event. “This year, the hostage and bereaved families gave us their blessing, as small businesses need to earn money and move forward.”

Pastry chef Shahar Peleg and her partner Yakir Cohen recently opened Cupsolla, a coffee cart located in Bnei Shimon, a small community located close to the Gaza border.

“We opened up because of October 7,” Peleg explained. “Yakir wanted something for the soul.”

Peleg and Cohen still cannot forget the trauma of the Oct. 7 atrocities. The place has posters with the remaining hostages and a portrait of Yakir’s best friend Ohad Yahalomi who was wounded and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists that day.

Twenty years ago, Ori and Galit Patkin, two former tech professionals, left the industry to pursue strawberry farming at Moshav Yesha in southern Israel. Thankfully, their village was saved by a capable and highly motivated local security team that prevented terrorists from capturing the area.

“What happened here on October 7 was heroic acts by the security team,” Patkin recalled. “Three defended us with their bodies and paid with their lives. We’re here because of them.”

The parking lot in Kibbutz Re’im usually has a carpet of anemones every spring. However, following the Hamas massacre of 364 partygoers at the local Nova Music Festival, the area has been transformed into a memorial site.

“I get goosebumps all the time as I speak to parents who are doing all they can to memorialize their loved ones,” said Danny Ben David, director of the western Negev for KKL-JNF, an Israeli NGO dedicated to land development, afforestation, and environmental conservation. He admitted that not all people are happy with the decision to have their local neighborhood transformed into a memorial site. “But this is our task right now, and it’s an honor to do it,” he explained.

Prior to the Hamas invasion, Israel's rural southern communities near the Gaza border thrived with modern, successful agriculture. Local agricultural efforts continue to face challenges as the industry relies on foreign workers, many of whom have left Israel due to the security situation.

Jewish and Christian volunteers have arrived in Israel over the past year to assist in reviving the local agricultural communities.

In March 2024, nine Christian volunteers from the farming community of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, came to Israel to actively assist in restoring Israel’s southern farming communities and to be a blessing.