BBC: Tough questions remain one year after the 7 October Hamas attacks in Israel. The deadliest day in Israel’s history saw the country’s army caught off guard and overwhelmed. The BBC has gathered accounts from families about what happened at the Nahal Oz military base, which was overrun by Hamas gunmen. More than 60 Israeli soldiers were reportedly killed, with others taken hostage. Israel’s military is yet to release its official inquiry, but details shared with families shed light on the events of that day. The BBC has also spoken to survivors and reviewed messages and recordings from the attack, revealing the speed and intensity of the invasion.
Concerns were raised about suspicious activity leading up to the attack, as well as the lack of armed soldiers at the base. Questions have been raised about the response to intelligence warnings, delays in reinforcements, and the base’s infrastructure. The IDF is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the events of that day.
On the day of the attack, Sharon, a member of the all-women military unit at Nahal Oz, observed movements among Hamas fighters. The base’s surveillance team had noticed an escalation in activity prior to the attack, but things had gone quiet in the days leading up to 7 October. The IDF’s failure to anticipate the attack has been attributed to arrogance and a underestimation of Hamas’ capabilities.
The Golani infantry unit at the base had been instructed to delay a patrol due to a threat of anti-tank missiles, a decision that ultimately played into Hamas’ advantage. Standard IDF protocol of standing back during suspected attacks was exploited by Hamas, who took advantage of the lack of cover for soldiers. Gen Ziv emphasized the importance of equipping bases with positions that allow soldiers to react while remaining protected.
As the events of that fateful day continue to be investigated, questions remain about the decisions and protocols that may have left the soldiers at Nahal Oz vulnerable to the surprise attack. BBC However, they appeared to be nothing more than routine – “they also have shifts.” By 06:20, Hamas had started firing rockets, yet Sharon remained calm as she had encountered rocket attacks before and the base was well-protected. She noted, “It’s usually five minutes of shooting and then a break.” However, this time, there was no break. By around 06:30, Sharon noticed Hamas forces closing in. The Tatzpitaniyot alerted the ground forces, reporting individuals approaching the fence. Shimon, on the other hand, heard about a rocket attack but assumed it was just a drill. Despite the belief that the barrier was impenetrable, breaches were reported at multiple bases along the border. The Tatzpitaniyot at Nahal Oz witnessed numerous breaches and saw Hamas fighters entering Israel. Gen Ziv acknowledged the flaws in the supposedly impenetrable barrier. The situation escalated as an observation post was hit by a rocket and Hamas gunmen began to attack surveillance cameras. The atmosphere shifted from calm to chaos as gunmen reached the border. The failure of surveillance balloons further added to the confusion. Sharon continued to communicate with soldiers on the ground, maintaining composure amid the chaos. The soldiers on the ground engaged with Hamas trucks breaking through the fence, leading to a violent confrontation. As Hamas gunmen approached the base, the Tatzpitaniyot were ordered to evacuate their positions. The focus on external patrols rather than defending the bases themselves proved to be a fatal mistake. An attack on the bomb shelter outside the base led to a fierce battle, with female soldiers bravely defending against the attackers. The situation deteriorated further as a grenade explosion killed a commander and injured others inside the shelter. About 10 soldiers managed to escape and secure themselves in the accommodation barracks at this critical juncture. BBC The rest of the soldiers in the shield were either killed or captured by Hamas. Shimon and his commander returned to the base, unaware of the full extent of the attack. The IDF later informed the family of a deceased soldier that the attack on the base involved drone strikes and the actions of 70 fighters from multiple directions. Meanwhile, Hamas drones targeted vehicles inside the base, and thousands of individuals crossed into Israeli territory. Shimon began to realize the severity of the situation as they arrived at the base, finding it completely burned. Despite their attempts to call for support, they were left without reinforcements. The IDF later briefed relatives that there were 150 gunmen for every 25 combat soldiers at Nahal Oz that day. The attackers used a swarm tactic with over 3,000 terrorists involved in more than 70 breaches. A video captured armed Hamas militants capturing surveillance officers at Nahal Oz, including 19-year-old Naama Levy, who pleaded for her life. The IDF helicopter began firing at the gunmen hours into the attack, and Shimon, along with six others, faced heavy gunfire from all directions. Shimon was the sole survivor among his comrades, narrowly escaping death. The day was described as a “perfect storm” by Gen Ziv, with a lack of backup due to confusion. Shimon eventually retreated and joined forces with another unit to protect a kibbutz. In the war room, chaos ensued as Hamas fighters broke in, leading to a fatal knife fight with a Golani soldier. The room was set on fire, causing smoke inhalation and suffocation among the occupants. Some survivors managed to escape through a toilet window, with Sharon being the only Tatzpitaniyot member to survive the ordeal. BBC Uno otra joven mujer en la unidad, que estaba en la base pero no trabajando esa mañana, también sobrevivió.
Al final del 7 de octubre, el ejército había recuperado el control, pero muchos de los que estaban estacionados allí no sobrevivieron el día. Siete Tatzpitaniyot fueron llevados de vuelta a Gaza como rehenes, donde uno fue asesinado, otro rescatado y cinco aún permanecen.
Dos estaciones de trabajo dañadas por el fuego en el Hamal
En todo Israel ese día, alrededor de 1,200 personas – incluidos más de 300 soldados – fueron asesinadas y 251 otras fueron tomadas como rehenes. Desde entonces, más de 41,000 palestinos han sido asesinados como resultado de la acción militar israelí en Gaza, dice el ministerio de salud dirigido por Hamas.
Los muertos de Nahal Oz incluían a Alroy el globero y cuatro camaradas, que habían participado en una larga batalla con Hamas, dice su padre, citando información dada por las FDI.
Lograron matar a cerca de 10 pistoleros, dijo, pero los cinco estaban en desventaja y todos fueron encontrados muertos dentro de un refugio móvil a las 14:30.
La sala de guerra – que había sido diseñada como un espacio seguro para las unidades de la base – fue destruida. Fotos y videos muestran que estaba carbonizada, las pantallas que los Tatzpitaniyot habían estado monitoreando cuidadosamente, ennegrecidas. Se encontraron fragmentos de hueso entre las cenizas allí.
Los supervivientes y las familias de los muertos y secuestrados se quedan con preguntas sin respuesta sobre cómo salió tan mal.
Reportaje adicional de Jon Donnison y Naomi Scherbel-Ball
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