Kobe’s Hill

Location: Just above Road #34 at the edge of the distinguished Ahuza neighborhood.

To grasp an immediate understanding of the story of this city, Sderot, its proximity to the security barrier between Israel and Gaza, juxtaposed against the city's tremendous development, we suggest beginning your visit to Sderot at the local observatory, at Kobe's Hill.

It is one of the highest points in the area, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the Mediterranean Sea looking to the west, with Ashkelon to the northwest, Ashdod to the north, and Sderot and Kiryat Gat to the east. Looking southwest, you can see Gaza City and the Golani Hill, also known as The Hill of Love and as Yanchik's Hill, distinguished by the sculpture of a large horse. From the east, you can see the new neighborhoods of Sderot – Neot Shikma and The Music Neighborhood – alongside a neighborhood of private homes built in the 1990s, Neot Yitzhak Rabin. Ahuza is the neighborhood at the bottom of the hill with luxurious homes built on an average lot of 800 m².

Until just a few years ago, there was only a dirt road leading to the hill, climbed by hikers and field vehicles. Yet, Kobe's Hill has always been a magnet for anyone looking for a high point with a beautiful view and fresh air. It has become a site for masses coming to visit from throughout the country when tensions escalate in the area as they seek a view of what it is like to see a war movie under production. From this hill, you can actually see the rockets as they are launched towards Israel and IDF bombardments in response.

In 2017, a budget of ILS 8 million was approved for development of the hill and its adaptation to a site suitable for tourist visits. Kobe’s Hill is actually the frontline position for explaining the local geopolitics of the State of Israel. Telescopic binoculars have been placed at the site, allowing visitors to get a close look at the Gaza Strip and at the Israeli cities and communities in the area.

The hill is named for Sderot resident and local Routine Military Security Coordinator, Kobe Harush, born and raised in the city. It was given this name because, as part of his job, Harush makes a practice of taking visitors there – tourist groups, military personnel, and diplomats interested in a bird's eye view of the border area.

Recently, the name of the hill was officially changed to Heroes' Hill in memory of the four combat soldiers, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar, z"l, and three of his men, Second Lt. Yuval Heiman, z"l, Sgt. Major Nadav Goldmacher, z"l, and Warrant Officer Beinsian Ksahon, z"l, who lost their lives there during Operation Protective Edge.

How to get there: On Waze, look for Kobe’s Hill, Sderot.