Observer Watchtower Memorial Honors Fallen Soldiers Near Gaza Border

A poignant memorial, "The Eyes That Did Not Close," has been established on a hill near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, overlooking the Gaza Strip, to commemorate the female observers who were killed on October 7, 2023. The path leading to the memorial features the images of the fallen observers, with the hilltop offering a panoramic view of the area they guarded. Nearly three years after the Hamas attack, the site has become more than a memorial; it tells the story of young female soldiers who monitored the border and continued to report even as the conflict reached their post.

The memorial's location is significant, placing visitors at the actual observation point to understand the immense responsibility shouldered by these soldiers, aged 18-20. The memorial emphasizes that their role extended beyond monitoring screens, as they were tasked with identifying any unusual activity or potential threats along the border. For most of the public, the border was distant, but for these observers, it was their entire world.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, their mission drastically changed. As rockets rained down from Gaza and terrorists breached the border, the observers in the Nahal Oz operations room witnessed the unfolding attack in real-time. They continued to relay crucial operational information to forces even as the battle encroached upon their own base, with the operations room itself becoming a dangerous focal point. Investigations after the attack revealed serious gaps in the camp's preparedness and inadequate protection against such a large-scale assault.

Among the fallen observers were Aviv Hajaj, Hadar Miriam Cohen, Maya Vialobo Polo, Noam Abramovitch, Shahaf Nissani, Shira Shohat, Noa Marciano, Yam Glas, Shira Yam Amar, Shira Eilat, Shiral Mor, Shai Ashram, Noa Price, Yael Leibshur, Adi Landman, and Roni Eshel. Their lives, filled with dreams and future plans, were tragically cut short. Seven observers were abducted to Gaza; Uri Magidish was rescued, and Noa Marciano was killed in captivity, her body later returned. Five other observers, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Agam Berger, were held captive for months.

The memorial, which began taking shape in the summer of 2024, was a collaborative effort by families, volunteers, and organizations. It aims to be more than a stone monument, serving as a place where visitors can see the faces of the observers, look out at the landscape they watched, and connect the personal memory of their sacrifice to the broader national tragedy. Red anemones, a symbol of the Western Negev, adorn a memorial stone at the summit, representing young lives cut short and the resilience to bloom again after devastation.

The memorial serves as a stark reminder of the vast responsibility placed on these young women, who were tasked with seeing, identifying, and reporting threats before anyone else. Their role, once known primarily to soldiers and local residents, has become a symbol of responsibility, vigilance, and dedication under unimaginable conditions. The memorial encourages visitors to look beyond the uniform and the role, to see the whole person and remember their lives before October 7, ensuring their future is not forgotten along with their tragic end.