Findings from the investigation into the events of October 7th at Zikim Beach and Kibbutz Zikim were released this morning (Sunday) by the IDF. The investigation points to serious operational failures that occurred on Zikim Beach. At the same time, it documents the courage and determination of the kibbutz security coordinator (Ravshatz) and its emergency response team.
Bravery of the Security Coordinator and the Rapid Response Team
The investigation indicates that the military forces on the beach failed to stop the infiltration of terrorists arriving from the sea. It reveals that there were significant deficiencies in the operational response. The soldiers withdrew from the area, even though the forces present were sufficient to stop the terror attack. On Zikim Beach, 17 civilians and one IDF soldier were murdered.
At the same time, the findings highlight the resourcefulness of the local forces, who fought with determination and courage. The investigation commends the actions of the Ravshatz and the emergency squad, who acted quickly and stopped the terrorists from entering the kibbutz. Thanks to the local fighters, no civilians were kidnapped from the kibbutz.
Timeline of Events – Minute by Minute:
06:29 – Red alert siren sounds at Zikim Beach; no impact reported.
06:34 – Surveillance identifies suspicious objects in the water, 1.5 km south of the border.
06:36 – A boat with four terrorists crosses the maritime border. Protocol “Blue Horseman” is declared due to sea infiltration.
06:39 – The navy’s patrol boat Dvora D-834 intercepts and destroys the first boat.
06:40 – Approximately 50 infiltration points are recorded in the battalion’s sector; a second boat lands and three terrorists disembark.
06:43 – 32 civilians take cover near the beach.
06:44 – A Golani company arrives on site.
06:44 – A fourth boat lands and five more terrorists disembark. A fifth boat is partially damaged by the Dvora.
06:45 – The killing spree begins at Zikim Beach.
06:48 – A sixth boat lands on the southern edge of the beach, with seven more terrorists.
06:48–06:49 – A deadly attack occurs in the public restrooms at the beach; seven civilians are murdered.
06:52 – A seventh boat positions itself near the Erez outpost; six terrorists disembark.
06:57 – Four terrorists seize a van and drive off from the beach.
The Battle and Defense of Kibbutz Zikim:
06:36 – “Blue Horseman” protocol declared; the Ravshatz is updated by the Ashdod operations room about the sea infiltration (06:40).
07:00 – A local fighter identifies the van with terrorists and blocks its entrance to the kibbutz.
07:05 – The Ravshatz and two rapid response fighters arrive as reinforcements; a firefight ensues until 07:20.
07:20 – The Golani beach company commander joins and supports the local defenders.
08:20 – An ISA (Shin Bet) officer is killed nearby; two terrorists seize his car and flee.
No Terrorists Breached the Kibbutz
A total of 38 terrorists infiltrated by sea in seven boats. 20 were killed during the battle, and 18 continued the infiltration. The entire incident, from the first to the seventh boat, took place over 16 minutes. In total, 18 people were killed on the beach – 17 civilians and one IDF soldier.
One significant takeaway is that no terrorist succeeded in entering the kibbutz itself. Security officials estimate that the Hamas terrorists likely refrained from entering Kibbutz Zikim due to the quick and decisive action of the emergency response team and the Ravshatz. Near the community, four terrorist bodies were found, along with the bodies of three civilians who were killed along the road leading to the kibbutz.
Watch:
Naval Force Combatants Eliminated Dozens of Terrorists in the Southern Maritime Area and Along the Coastline | IDF Spokesperson’s Unit
