Two Years On: Travel Lessons, Human Stories, and the Gear You Can Trust

Travel has a way of bringing the world closer—and reminding us that behind every headline are people, families, and places we might one day meet. Two years have passed since the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, which targeted the Nova Music Festival and surrounding communities. Among the 251 people kidnapped that day was Nimrod Cohen. His brother, Yotam, has reflected publicly on the passage of time, the pain of waiting, and the fragile hope that the future could be safer and more humane. Those reflections resonate not only as news but as a reminder that travel intersects with real lives, real risks, and real resilience.

This article draws together three threads: the human perspective—through Yotam’s reflections—on what has unfolded since Oct. 7; the practical realities of traveling in a world shaped by conflict and evolving peace proposals, such as those discussed during the Trump peace plan era; and the nuts-and-bolts of planning trips more responsibly, from festival safety to the kind of reliable gear—like a luggage scale no battery required—that performs when you need it most. If you’re preparing for travel anywhere that’s been touched by crisis, or you simply want to be a more thoughtful traveler, the guidance below will help you move with care, clarity, and preparedness.

Two Years After Oct. 7: Context Travelers Should Understand

On October 7, 2023, the Nova Music Festival near Re’im and nearby communities were attacked by Hamas, killing hundreds and resulting in mass kidnappings. One of those abducted was 26-year-old Nimrod Cohen, whose story, like many others, became known far beyond Israel. The scale and cruelty of the day reshaped the region’s security dynamics, global discourse, and countless personal lives.

Why this context matters to travelers:

  • Security and advisories: Government travel advisories for Israel, the West Bank, Gaza’s periphery, and certain border areas have been updated repeatedly since the attacks. These advisories affect insurance coverage, routing options, and event planning.
  • Operational realities: Airports may stay open even amid elevated tension, but schedules can shift quickly. Overland crossings and access to certain sites can be restricted with little notice.
  • Community impact: Travel can support recovery and local livelihoods, but it must be done with sensitivity to communities processing trauma and loss.

Two years on, the situation remains fluid. Some areas are open for tourism; others are not. Before booking, confirm local conditions, consult official advisories, and consider whether your presence supports or strains affected communities.

Yotam Cohen’s Reflections and the Traveler’s Lens

In interviews and public comments over the past two years, Yotam Cohen has described the ache of uncertainty and the daily effort to keep hope alive for his brother, Nimrod. He has spoken about living between fear and faith, the power of public awareness, and the hope that future agreements—often discussed in terms of evolving peace initiatives, including references to the Trump peace plan—might shape safer realities.

For travelers, there are three takeaways:

  • Headlines affect perception; logistics affect safety. Policy proposals and public debate can sway traveler sentiment, but day-to-day safety hinges on local conditions, security protocols, and community dynamics at the destination.
  • Human stories matter. Names and families—like the Cohens—remind us that travel is not separate from current events. In places touched by conflict, consider how your presence, spending, and storytelling can be respectful and helpful.
  • Prepare for ambiguity. Yotam’s experience underscores that outcomes can take time. Similarly, travel plans in sensitive regions should build in contingencies and compassionate patience when plans change or doors are closed.

These reflections do not offer easy answers, but they do suggest a more grounded question for travelers: How can we move in ways that prioritize dignity, prudence, and humility?

If you’re considering travel to Israel or nearby hubs, a careful plan is not optional. Conditions evolve, and your preparation should reflect that.

Pre-trip planning essentials:

  1. Monitor official advisories from your country’s foreign ministry. Re-check one week, three days, and 24 hours before departure.
  2. Enroll in your embassy’s traveler program (e.g., STEP for U.S. citizens). Provide your itinerary and emergency contacts.
  3. Confirm insurance coverage. Some policies exclude acts of war; others cover disruptions but not on-the-ground incidents.
  4. Contact accommodation hosts directly. Ask about safe rooms, shelter access, siren protocols, and neighborhood conditions.
  5. Download local safety apps. In Israel, apps that relay civil defense alerts can provide critical seconds to shelter.
  6. Plan communications redundancy. Carry an eSIM and a local SIM where possible, plus a written contact list.

On-the-ground safety habits:

  • Choose neighborhoods strategically. Prefer central areas with reliable shelters, robust transit, and known hospitality infrastructure.
  • Practice the 60-second drill. If a siren sounds, know where to go and how to get there quickly from your room and the lobby.
  • Limit high-risk border excursions. Avoid buffer zones or sensitive areas even if tours operate; risk can change rapidly.
  • Coordinate with locals. Hotel concierges and hosts can flag issues more accurately than general news cycles can.
  • Keep documentation at hand. Digital and printed copies of passport, insurance, and visas should be accessible.

Route and timing considerations:

  • Flight flexibility: Use fares with free changes or low reissue fees. Consider booking on one ticket to protect connections, but balance that against the flexibility of separate tickets for rerouting via safer hubs.
  • Ground transport: Pre-arrange airport transfers with reputable providers; keep the driver’s number handy. Have a plan B for late arrivals.
  • Sabbath/holiday closures: In Israel, public transit and many businesses close on Shabbat and holidays. Plan arrivals and transfers accordingly.

Festival and Large-Event Safety: Lessons from Nova

The Nova Music Festival tragedy was a mass-casualty terrorist attack on a peaceful gathering. While festival organizers worldwide have strengthened protocols, travelers should adopt their own safety playbook before attending large events anywhere.

Before you go:

  • Research the venue. Identify all exits and rally points. Confirm whether there is a credible safety plan and visible security presence.
  • Study the terrain. Open fields, bottlenecked parking, and single-access stages can complicate evacuation. Choose vantage points with multiple egress options.
  • Build a buddy system. Share live location with at least two friends. Pre-arrange offsite meet-ups if cell service fails.
  • Pack smart. Water, basic first-aid, an external battery, a small headlamp, and a photocopy of your ID are essentials.

At the event:

  • Arrive early to orient yourself. Walk to the nearest two exits and memorize a non-crowded path.
  • Observe crowd behavior. Early signs of trouble include sudden surges, blocked aisles, or unannounced stage disruptions.
  • Stay sober enough to act. If you drink, do so with awareness. Your reaction time matters in emergencies.
  • Keep noise awareness. In loud environments, set your phone to vibrate for emergency alerts, and consider bone-conduction earbuds if you need to monitor outside sound.

Exit strategy:

  • Leave at the first credible sign of escalation, even if it feels inconvenient.
  • Move perpendicular to crowds to reach open space fast.
  • Shift to text-only communications to preserve bandwidth during emergencies.

Real-world example: In a city-center concert, a traveler notices multiple exits and positions near a side gate with an unobstructed line of sight to the street. When a non-specific security alert pauses the show, they exit calmly, avoid the jam near the main gate, and reunite with friends at a pre-arranged café two blocks away. The show later resumed, but the traveler’s decision prioritized safety with minimal drama.

Packing With Purpose: Reliable Gear That Works Everywhere

Travelers tend to overpack technology and underpack reliability. When traveling to regions with variable infrastructure or during complex itineraries, every piece of gear should earn its place.

The case for a luggage scale no battery required:

  • Reliability in uncertainty: A mechanical luggage scale works without power, unaffected by dead batteries, cold weather, or last-minute airport swaps.
  • Avoid surprise fees: Budget carriers often weigh carry-ons at the gate. A quick pre-check lets you redistribute weight before boarding.
  • Universal usability: No need for adapters or coin cells you can’t find abroad. Clip, lift, read, and adjust.
  • Durability: Mechanical scales survive drops and rough handling better than many digital devices.

How to choose a mechanical scale:

  • Look for metal hooks or reinforced straps that won’t slip under load.
  • Aim for a 75 lb/34 kg capacity with clear analog markings and a tare function.
  • Prefer compact models that fit in an outer pocket for easy access.
  • Test calibration at home using known weights (e.g., a 5 kg dumbbell) so you trust the reading on the road.

Digital vs mechanical:

  • Digital: Precise and backlit, but reliant on batteries and sometimes sensitive to temperature.
  • Mechanical: Slightly less granular but consistently reliable in a pinch, especially when traveling off-grid or on tight connections.

Packing checklist for resilience:

  • Travel documents: Physical copies and encrypted digital backups.
  • Communications: eSIM plus local SIM; compact power bank; lightweight cable set. If power is a concern, favor gear that functions without it.
  • Safety: Small first-aid kit, headlamp, whistle, cash in small denominations, and a spare card stored separately.
  • Luggage control: Packing cubes, a luggage scale no battery required, and a lightweight daypack that compresses flat.
  • Clothing: Neutral colors; layers; shoes you can move quickly in.
  • Cultural respect: Modest options and a scarf where appropriate; room in your daypack for memorial sites where decorum matters.

Example scenario: You’re connecting through Istanbul to Tel Aviv on a low-cost carrier with strict carry-on policies. Your backpack creeps over the weight limit after a last-minute purchase. At the gate, you quickly clip your mechanical scale, shift a hardcover book and a charger to your personal item, and meet the limit—avoiding a hefty fee and a frantic repack.

Planning Under Uncertainty: Insurance, Routes, and Contingencies

Even when your destination is open to visitors, uncertainty is part of the equation. Build flexibility into your plan.

Insurance insights:

  • Read exclusions carefully. Some policies exclude acts of war or terrorism; others cover trip interruption due to government advisories.
  • Consider CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason). It costs more and reimburses partially, but it gives you decision-making freedom if conditions feel uncomfortable.
  • Medical coverage: Confirm emergency evacuation and hospital coverage in your destination.

Routing strategies:

  • Hubs and alternates: Map at least two alternate routing options via different hubs (e.g., Athens or Larnaca, not just Istanbul).
  • Single ticket vs separate tickets: A single ticket protects connections; separate tickets enhance rerouting flexibility. Choose based on your risk tolerance.
  • Timing buffers: Add generous layovers to absorb delays and last-minute security checks.

Contingency planning:

  • Accommodation fallback: Keep one fully refundable hotel booking for your first night and one backup on a different platform.
  • Ground transport: Save phone numbers for two local taxi companies and one shuttle service in addition to rideshare apps.
  • Cash and cards: Carry a mix of payment options. ATMs can be down; small businesses may prefer cash during disruptions.
  • Documentation: Keep a hard-copy sheet with emergency contacts, embassy info, and essential phrases in the local language.

Ethical Travel: Respecting Communities and Supporting Recovery

Travel can be a force for good when it’s grounded in respect. In places where families are grieving and communities are rebuilding, adopt ethics that prioritize dignity.

Principles to guide your trip:

  • Do no harm: Avoid sites or situations that turn trauma into spectacle. If visiting memorials, follow posted guidance, dress appropriately, and keep photography discreet.
  • Listen first: If conversations arise about Oct. 7, let locals lead. Every story is personal; not all are for public retelling.
  • Spend thoughtfully: Choose local businesses, guides, and accommodations that commit to community well-being and fair labor practices.
  • Volunteer with care: Short-term volunteer projects can strain resources. If you want to help, vet organizations thoroughly and consider donating to credible groups supporting hostages’ families, trauma services, or community rebuilding.
  • Share responsibly: On social media, protect identities, avoid sensitive locations, and contextualize posts with care.

A note on discourse: Peace proposals—including those debated in the context of the Trump peace plan era—shape public conversation about the future. As a traveler, your role isn’t to adjudicate policy but to move through places with empathy and awareness, recognizing the lived realities behind policy debates.

Looking Ahead: Hope, Safety, and the Role of Travelers

Yotam Cohen’s reflections about his brother, Nimrod, anchor an uncomfortable truth: travel sometimes takes us to the edge of uncertainty, where headlines feel close and personal. Two years on, many families still wait for answers; communities still carry the weight of loss. Yet travel—done with care—can help connect people, support livelihoods, and keep stories human, not abstract.

What responsible travelers can do next:

  • Stay informed without becoming desensitized. Follow official advisories and credible local news.
  • Choose itineraries that align with your values and risk tolerance. There’s no single right answer.
  • Pack and plan for resilience. Reliable, low-failure gear—like a luggage scale no battery required—reflects a broader ethic of preparedness.
  • Travel with humility. Your presence matters. Your spending, your listening, and your storytelling can all make a difference.

In a world where peace is often discussed at the policy level while safety is lived at the street level, travelers carry a quiet responsibility. Honor it with preparation, respect, and care for the people you meet along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

Is it safe to travel to Israel right now?

A: Safety varies by region and changes over time. Check your government’s travel advisories, consult local contacts and accommodations, and confirm insurance coverage before booking. Build flexibility into your plans and avoid high-risk border areas.

Q:

What is a luggage scale with no battery required, and why should I carry one?

A: It’s a mechanical scale that uses a spring and analog dial, so it works without power. It’s reliable, durable, and ideal for trips with multiple flights or uncertain access to batteries, helping you avoid overweight fees at the gate.

Q:

How can I prepare for festivals and large events abroad?

A: Map exits, set a rendezvous point, keep essentials (water, first-aid, headlamp), and maintain a buddy system. Position yourself near multiple egress routes and leave early if conditions feel unsafe.

Q:

Does travel insurance cover terrorism or civil unrest?

A: Policies differ. Some exclude acts of war or terrorism; others cover trip interruption but not on-the-ground incidents. Read your policy closely and consider CFAR for greater flexibility.

Q:

How can travelers support families of hostages and affected communities respectfully?

A: Listen, avoid intrusive questions, donate to vetted organizations, support local businesses, and be thoughtful in what you share online. If visiting memorials, follow local guidance and prioritize dignity.