As we mark one year since the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, 2022, tough questions continue to reverberate within Israel. This day, now etched in history as one of the deadliest for the nation, saw its formidable military caught off guard and swiftly overwhelmed. The events that unfolded at the Nahal Oz military base, located just a kilometer from the Gaza border, have raised significant concerns and prompted an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding that fateful day.
Reports indicate that over 60 Israeli soldiers lost their lives at Nahal Oz, with many others taken hostage. While the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have yet to release an official inquiry into the events, they have briefed the families of those who perished, sharing details that paint a troubling picture of the day’s chaos. Survivors, along with messages from the deceased and real-time recordings of the attack, have contributed to a clearer understanding of the speed and ferocity of the invasion.
In the days leading up to the attack, soldiers stationed at Nahal Oz observed unusual activity. Many noted a sudden halt in Hamas operations, which raised suspicions among the troops. However, on the morning of October 7, many soldiers were unarmed, and protocols dictated that they should stand back during an attack rather than advance. This left them vulnerable when Hamas launched its assault.
General Israel Ziv, a former head of the IDF's Operations Division, expressed disbelief that soldiers would be unarmed in such a critical area. He emphasized that the military's failure to recognize the threat stemmed from a dangerous overconfidence—an assumption that Hamas would not dare to attack. “We went to sleep on the 6th thinking there’s a cat over there and we woke up on the 7th and there’s a tiger,” he remarked.
As the morning unfolded, members of the Golani Brigade were preparing for their routine patrol when they received a warning about potential anti-tank missile threats. This unusual alert led them to delay their patrol, a decision that would have dire consequences. Meanwhile, Sharon, a member of the all-women military unit tasked with monitoring surveillance footage, began her shift at 4:00 AM. Initially, the situation seemed routine, but as the morning progressed, it became increasingly clear that something was amiss.
By 6:20 AM, Hamas had initiated rocket attacks, but Sharon, accustomed to such incidents, did not perceive the immediate danger. However, as the situation escalated, she and her fellow soldiers began to witness armed Hamas fighters approaching the border. Despite their attempts to alert ground forces, confusion reigned, and the response was slow.
The ease with which Hamas fighters breached the border fence highlighted significant flaws in what was believed to be an impenetrable barrier. General Ziv pointed out that the lack of adequate defensive positions for the Golani soldiers left them exposed and unable to respond effectively.
As the attack intensified, the monitoring systems at Nahal Oz began to fail, with surveillance screens going dark as Hamas fighters targeted the cameras. The chaos of that morning serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist within military operations, particularly in high-stakes environments like the Israel-Gaza border.
As we reflect on the events of October 7, it is clear that the lessons learned from this tragedy will shape Israel's military strategies and protocols moving forward. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the failures that led to such a catastrophic day, ensuring that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives are not forgotten and that measures are taken to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.