Palestinians take control of an Israeli tank after crossing the border fence with Israel from Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 7 October 2023. Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/FLASH90
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has released the results of an investigation into the battle for Kibbutz Kerem Shalom that took place on 7 October 2023. Then, as a result of a massive attack by Hamas militants, six Israeli soldiers were killed and ten more civilians were injured. However, according to the military, thanks to the quick and decisive actions of junior officers and air support, a much greater tragedy was avoided.
According to the IDF, more than 100 Hamas militants broke into Israel through 11 gaps in the border fence. The bulk of the attack was carried out by soldiers of the 934th Nahal Battalion and volunteer kibbutz guards.
The first group of 20 militants was spotted by a female observation post operator at 6:46 am. Within an hour, the first armed clashes took place. At least seven terrorists were killed in one of the battles.
At 10:10 a.m., IDF helicopters struck another wave of militants trying to break through the border, forcing dozens of them to retreat. Within 15 minutes, the kibbutz’s volunteer guards rescued a family hiding in a bomb shelter, killing two militants who had entered their home. Two Israeli soldiers were killed during this operation.
There was almost no support from the outside – the militants destroyed General Ari Rosenfeld’s forward command post and killed Colonel Asaf Hamami, commander of the Gaza Strip’s southern brigade. Despite this, Israeli forces managed to contain the attack.
The IDF expressed special gratitude to the deputy commander of Battalion 934, who strategically deployed defence forces, thus avoiding massive civilian casualties.
