On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released the findings of an internal investigation into the deadly battle at Kibbutz Re’im, concluding the military failed in its mission to protect the community during Hamas’ massive October 7 assault.
The investigation, led by Brig. Gen. Yigal Dadon, commander of the Palmachim Air Force Base, found that the army was unprepared for the scale and coordination of the attack.
In the assault, seven civilians were killed, five people were kidnapped (including four Thai nationals), and 15 members of the security forces—nine soldiers and six police officers—lost their lives in battle.
Six Local Fighters Faced 80 Hamas Gunmen Alone
According to the report, around 80 terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz through breaches in the border fence. While the IDF struggled to deploy organized defense, the local emergency squad—made up of just six responders—and a few volunteers fought alone for hours, stalling the Hamas attackers.
IDF soldiers outside Re’im during the October 7 attack| Photo: Flash90
Heroism in a Safe Room: The Story of Guy Simchi and Hadar
One of the most powerful stories in the report highlights the bravery of Guy Simchi, a reservist from the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, and Hadar, a soldier from the Maglan special forces.
At 8:08 AM, the two helped 11 partygoers from the Nova music festival take cover in a protected room (safe room) inside a home. When Hamas militants stormed the house and threw in a stun grenade, Simchi leapt at one attacker to choke him with his bare hands while Hadar shot and killed two others. When their ammunition ran out, they tried to flee the burning house. Simchi was killed, but all 11 civilians survived thanks to their actions.
Fierce Clashes Along Route 234
Another front in the battle unfolded along Route 234, where Hamas gunmen fired on passing vehicles and attempted to re-enter the kibbutz. Troops from the Caracal Battalion, on their way to the Nova site, were drawn into a prolonged highway battle.
During the fighting, three soldiers from the Air Defense Battalion—Sahar, Netiv, and Binyamin—were killed while attempting to reload a launcher and fell into an ambush. A training company en route to Kibbutz Kissufim intercepted gunmen at Re’im Junction and rescued a teenage girl who was nearly abducted.
Major Failures in IDF Response
The report lists several critical shortcomings:
- Unprepared defenses: Security infrastructure did not match the scale of the infiltration.
- Delayed response: Army units arrived late, with no coordination or area control.
- Poorly equipped troops: Many soldiers lacked proper gear.
- No air support: Attack helicopters were grounded due to the presence of civilians near the terrorists.
- Severe communication breakdowns: Lack of coordination between IDF, police, and rescue services.
Members of the kibbutz emergency squad fought for hours with limited weapons| Photo: Flash90
Emergency Squad Was the First and Only Line of Defense
The kibbutz’s emergency squad, often relying on donated equipment, was the first—and for hours, the only—force preventing a total massacre. From 7:41 AM to 11:00 AM, just six defenders fought off the militants. Five more joined later.
Local commander Harel Oren personally locked the kibbutz gate, preventing militants from reaching residential areas—a move that likely saved dozens of lives.
Reinforcements Came Too Late
The first regular IDF unit arrived only at 11:41 AM, led by Col. Roy Levi, commander of the multi-dimensional unit. Levi was killed in the fighting. Command then passed to Capt. Ariel Ben Moshe of Sayeret Matkal, who was also killed. Only at 4:00 PM did Kfir Brigade Commander Col. Yaniv Barot assume command. The final Hamas gunman was killed the following morning.
IDF Acknowledges Failure, Pledges to Implement Lessons
The report concludes unequivocally: “The IDF failed in its defense of Kibbutz Re’im. Forces were unprepared, intelligence failed to alert, and the response was slow and confused.”
Still, the report honors the heroism of the emergency squad, soldiers, and civilians who showed determination and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. “The lessons of Re’im will be studied and implemented in full,” the military promised, “to prevent the next disaster.”
