An internal IDF probe into the events that led to the October 7th assault on the Nachal Oz base has uncovered that only a single soldier was stationed at the main entrance when the attack took place.
The findings indicate that Hamas had gathered highly detailed intelligence on the base and executed the attack in three successive waves. The terrorists possessed precise knowledge of the layout, including room locations and guard placements, as well as areas that were left unguarded.
Hamas deliberately chose to strike on a weekend or a religious holiday, expecting a reduced military presence on-site during those times.
On the night preceding the assault, Hamas operatives briefed the attackers with specific instructions for storming the base. The squad leaders then made their final preparations.
One of the female lookouts who was later freed from captivity recounted an exchange with a terrorist who asked her: “I don’t understand how you didn’t detect our preparations on the day before the attack?”
At the time of the invasion, only one soldier was stationed at the front gate. Despite the IDF personnel outnumbering the attackers by a factor of two, they were at a disadvantage due to insufficient weaponry and firepower.
The investigation also reveals that after the soldiers took cover in a fortified shelter, the terrorists managed to overtake them, resulting in a significant number of casualties.
The onslaught commenced at 6:45 AM, but it wasn’t until 2:00 PM that reinforcements reached the site.
The report details that when the attack began, the base housed 162 soldiers, of whom 90 were armed and 81 were trained for combat. The deputy battalion commander sustained injuries at 6:45 AM, and by 7:05 AM, the terrorists had breached the compound.
At 7:30 AM, additional forces were summoned, engaging in a fierce battle. Ten minutes later, a company commander arrived in an armored personnel carrier, marking the first instance in which the IDF deployed military vehicles against the assailants.
By 7:50 AM, the IDF attempted to mount a counteroffensive, but at 8:20 AM, part of the responding unit was ambushed and killed, halting the operation.
A second wave of around 50 terrorists swarmed the base at approximately 9:00 AM, seizing control with little resistance. An hour later, a much larger contingent of 100 terrorists arrived, further overwhelming the site.
During the third wave of the attack, terrorists abducted soldiers from inside a tank, while female surveillance personnel were taken hostage.
By midday, the operations room was set ablaze, and it was only at 2:00 PM that rescue teams were able to reach the scene and evacuate the injured personnel.
The October Council Families Forum, which represents over 1,000 families who lost loved ones, issued a statement following the release of the investigation’s findings: “The specific internal investigations into the October 7th massacre are only the tip of the iceberg, and do not constitute a substitute for a state commission of inquiry. Without the establishment of a state commission of inquiry that will investigate everything and everyone, both the political and military echelons, we will not be able to comprehend the full picture, draw lessons and prevent the next disaster.”
“We demand: Stop dragging the feet of the Israeli government, stop the humiliating and degrading treatment of the bereaved families and victims. After 508 days and nights, it’s time for answers.”
{Matzav.com Israel}