IDF reopens Zikim Beach near Gaza border for first time since Hamas terrorists killed 18 there on Oct 7

After being closed for two years since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacres, the IDF announced on Wednesday the reopening of Zikim Beach near the northern border of the Gaza Strip. 

Following an operational assessment, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir approved the recommendation by the Southern Command to reopen Zikim Beach to the public, lifting the previous closed military zone imposed on the area since the Oct. 7 massacre. 

According to the announcement, the beach facilities were refurbished at a cost of around 20 million shekels. Initially, the beach will be open for visitors, including swimming, from 07:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, with lifeguard services starting at 9:00 a.m. Surfing will be permitted at the beach, but other water sports and diving activities will only be permitted at a later stage. 

Regional council officials will hold an opening ceremony next Tuesday, however, the beach will reopen for swimming on Thursday, Oct. 16, the army announced. 

The IDF statement said the “decision comes following significant operational activities carried out by IDF troops under the Southern Command in the area of the northern Gaza Strip, as well as a structured combat procedure conducted in the Southern Command and the Israeli Navy in recent weeks.” 

The Zikim Beach was the scene of a horrific massacre on Oct. 7, when several Hamas terrorists landed there from the sea, and attacked a group of people who were sheltering from the rocket sirens. The failure of the military to protect the beachgoers, despite a prior warning of an attempted infiltration in the area was seen by many Israelis as a sign of the IDF’s failures during the deadly invasion. 

On the morning of Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Zikim, where the IDF operates a training base, from the Gaza Strip. The terrorists set out in seven speedboats, some of which were intercepted by Israeli naval forces. 

The terrorists were part of a two-pronged attack on Zikim, in which some militants came by land, breaking through the border fence, while others came by sea. Around 16 terrorists reached the beach, where some departed for the IDF facilities, while others attacked the facilities at the beach, killing 17 civilians and 1 soldier who arrived at the beach to engage the terrorists. 

Ashkelon Beach Regional Council head Itamar Revivo welcomed the decision by the IDF to reopen the beach. 

“After a long wait, the special and beautiful Zikim Beach will be opened for bathing and visitors,” Revivo said in a statement. “Alongside the opening of the beach, we will remember and commemorate the murdered of Zikim Beach and will not forget the 18 murdered people.” 

Aviad Friedman, Head of the Takuma Administration, said, “The renewal and opening of Zikim Beach is part of our commitment to restoring the area to a prosperous life. The reopening of the beach embodies our clear statement – we are here to rehabilitate and grow. We will continue to work to rebuild the area, believing that it is precisely in the places that have suffered the most damage that we will build a new, safer and better future.”