The Israel Defense Forces released Tuesday an investigation into the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, revealing a complex battlefield where a small security contingent attempted to defend against overwhelming numbers. The assault resulted in the murder of 13 kibbutz residents, two security response team members, two foreign citizens, three IDF soldiers, and one additional security force member. Eight people were kidnapped to Gaza, with six since returned – including Tsachi Idan, who was later found deceased. Two remain in captivity: Omri Miran and Tanzanian citizen Joshua Loitu Mollel.
Located just 700 meters (0.4 miles) from Gaza's Shuja'iyya neighborhood, Nahal Oz is home to 450 residents across 120 families. The community was preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary on October 7, with numerous guests present when the attack began.
What distinguished the Nahal Oz battle was the partial success of local security forces in repelling the initial assault wave "against all odds," according to the investigation. This was partly due to the fortuitous presence of 11 members of the Israel Police Counter Terror Unit (Yamam) counterterrorism fighters who happened to be sleeping in the kibbutz as a standby force for potential fence disturbances. However, the investigation, conducted by Colonel (res.) Yaron Sitbon, identified a critical failure in directing reinforcement forces to the kibbutz, noting: "If we had been more efficient in directing reinforcement forces, we could have prevented the second and deadlier wave."
The investigation specifically praised the Nahal Oz community for showing "comradeship, resourcefulness, responsibility, and courage" while enduring hours under attack. Special recognition was given to teenager Tomer Arava and the Yamam force that fought throughout the assault.
According to the findings, more than 180 attackers infiltrated the kibbutz, with some estimates placing the number between 200-300. Approximately 80 were eliminated within the kibbutz grounds. The attackers caused extensive damage to homes and agricultural areas, with equipment losses estimated at over 17 million shekels ($4.8 million). Officials expect the rehabilitation process to be lengthy.
The timeline constructed by investigators shows that at 7:00 a.m., the first wave of 30-40 attackers entered through the southern gate. A captured map revealed the Hamas plan was to approach from Shuja'iyya to the kibbutz's back gate, with a special team designated to target communications infrastructure.
The attack commenced with a barrage of rockets and mortars, some landing within the kibbutz. One child was injured by shrapnel from a shattered window blind. The bombardment caused a power outage that prevented electric gates from opening – a critical factor in subsequent events.
A deputy company commander from the Golani Brigade, stationed at a nearby outpost, arrived at the gate at 6:49 a.m. Unable to enter due to the power failure, he made the crucial decision to defend from a tank position northwest of the kibbutz. This proved fortuitous when, three minutes later, his force engaged six attackers on motorcycles, eliminating five. Concurrently, a tank from the Nahal Oz outpost headed toward a position near the fence, encountered attackers on vehicles, and destroyed several.
The investigation identified a significant vulnerability in the kibbutz defense: following an IDF-endorsed guideline, the security response team's weapons were stored in a central armory. Security coordinator Ilan Fiorentino (deceased) had the key and access code but incorrectly assumed the power outage would prevent the code panel from working. Consequently, 16 security response team members were never mobilized. The IDF assessment concluded that these additional defenders "could have stopped the other waves." Only deputy security coordinator Nissan de Kalo, who had his personal weapon, and another response team member named Beri joined the Yamam force to defend the kibbutz.
At 7:05 a.m., the first attackers infiltrated from the south, approaching the back gate and dairy farm area by motorcycle and on foot. This initial wave was successfully repelled by Yamam fighters, the two armed security team members, and a former police officer who was a kibbutz resident. However, the defenders suffered casualties, including security coordinator Ilan Fiorentino, Staff Sergeant Jacob Shlomo Krasinski (23) of Yamam, and kibbutz resident Shoshi Brosh (75). Her husband, Yonchi, was wounded along with several Yamam personnel.
Critical hours
From this point until 1:15 p.m., when the first IDF reinforcements finally arrived, the kibbutz's defense rested entirely on eight fighters with two armored vehicles – two kibbutz security team members in a protected Defender jeep and six Yamam fighters in a Ze'ev armored vehicle equipped with firing ports, which proved effective for mobile combat operations. This small force faced a second, larger wave of attackers that reached the kibbutz around 10:00 a.m., beginning with 60 fighters from Hamas's Shati Battalion breaching through five entry points, followed by approximately 150 additional attackers through other access points.
By 10:30 a.m., the attackers had seized control of the kibbutz, a situation that would persist for several hours until Maglan special forces arrived. During this period, all kidnappings and most murders occurred, concentrated largely in the Keshet neighborhood. A roadblock prevented the Ze'ev vehicle with Yamam fighters from accessing parts of this area, likely why attackers established a stronghold there.
The investigation noted a disturbing tactic used in Nahal Oz: Attackers broadcast several "Facebook Live" videos using victims' phones. Around 10:40 a.m., they forced Tomer Arava-Eliaz to knock on neighbors' doors, demanding they exit their homes. At the Idan family residence, attackers shot through the safe room door, killing daughter Ma'ayan and wounding father Tsachi, who was subsequently kidnapped. At 11:29 a.m., attackers entered the Miran family home with Tomer, later moving the family to the Idan residence at 12:15 p.m. while continuing their broadcasts.
During this period, the Zohar family – parents Yaniv and Yasmin and daughters Keshet and Tchelet – were murdered. In separate incidents, Yasmin's father, Haim Livne (87), and kibbutz member Shlomo Ron (85) were also killed.
Investigators noted that Tomer Arava maintained remarkable composure throughout his ordeal, repeatedly telling attackers that houses were empty. The practice of using a "neighbor procedure" and broadcasting propaganda via Facebook Live appears unique to the Nahal Oz attack. The attackers delivered messages in English, including claims they "won't kill you" and warnings to the Israeli Air Force not to strike. The IDF continues investigating whether security personnel viewed these broadcasts in real-time, potentially missing vital intelligence about the unfolding situation.
The Arava-Elyakim family was kidnapped in their Hyundai Tucson, with evidence suggesting accidental fire from Israeli forces struck the vehicle's rear window. Dikla was killed by this gunfire, while Noam was later found deceased near the dairy farm, with uncertainty whether he died from existing wounds or was shot again by attackers.
By noon, the first images of female Israeli hostages in Gaza were published – Noam's daughters Dafna and Ella Elyakim. Around this time, Tomer Arava managed to escape his captors and fled toward a kibbutz entrance gate. After hiding behind a mound, he was shot at approximately 12:40 p.m., with investigators assessing this was likely accidental fire from exhausted Yamam fighters who had been operating for hours without water or air conditioning in their damaged armored vehicle.
The first external reinforcements to reach the vicinity came at 12:05 p.m., when a Maglan force commanded by Major Chen Buchris approached a route near the kibbutz and encountered an ambush by 10 attackers. The ensuing firefight killed Buchris, Lieutenant Yiftach Yaavetz, and Staff Sergeant Afik Rosenthal, with only two soldiers continuing to fight. Approximately ten minutes later, Major General (res.) Noam Tibon arrived with paratroopers who joined the battle alongside another Maglan team.
Turning the tide
The first relief forces finally entered the kibbutz at 1:15 p.m., even as kidnappings continued on the opposite side near the dairy farm and back gate. At 1:30 p.m., attackers handcuffed American citizens Yehudit and Natali Raanan, along with Tsachi Idan and Omri Miran, attempting to transport them in Tsachi's vehicle. When they couldn't start the car, the four were taken on foot through the northern fence.
By 1:44 p.m., Maglan forces began systematic searches through the kibbutz, marking the beginning of the "turning of the tide." A Givati reconnaissance battalion force entered at 2:00 p.m. to assist. At 3:30 p.m., a tragic friendly fire incident occurred when one force entered another's sector without coordination and misidentified armed kibbutz security team member Ran Posloshny as an attacker, fatally shooting him.
The investigation concluded with a critical assessment of command failures, noting the Northern Brigade's poor situational awareness and inability to effectively direct forces. It identified a crucial "missed opportunity" between the first and second attack waves, concluding that "even a small force arriving would have prevented kidnappings" – a sobering acknowledgment of how different the outcome might have been with proper reinforcement.
