IDF probe: Security coordinator alone thwarted Hamas' initial Kibbutz Sufa attack on Oct 7

Investigations into Oct. 7, 2023 : After being presented to bereaved families and the kibbutz community, the IDF published on Monday the findings of its investigation into the battle at Kibbutz Sufa on Oct. 7.

The investigation concluded that the IDF failed in its mission to defend Sufa. However, it also determined that due to the actions of the kibbutz emergency response squad, Division 80 forces, the Eilat counter-terrorism unit (LOTAR), and the 190th Helicopter Squadron, “a much greater disaster was averted,” according to the IDF report.

On Oct. 7, Bernard Cohen, a resident of the kibbutz, was murdered, and two members of the emergency squad – Maj. (res.) Ido Hubara and Maj. (res.) Ofir Erez – were killed. According to the investigation, the kibbutz was attacked by about 50 terrorists, some of whom infiltrated the kibbutz grounds. Heavy damage was also inflicted on homes in the community.

Timeline of events in Kibbutz Sufa on Oct. 7:

According to the investigation, shortly after the attack began a tank from the sectoral “Sufa” company was dispatched to the border fence area and it eliminated terrorists approaching the fence, including those on pickup trucks and motorcycles. The tank fought for roughly three hours.

At 6:45 a.m., the kibbutz' security coordinator (Ravshatz) instructed the emergency squad members to gear up and prepare for deployment to defend the kibbutz, but to remain in their homes for the time being. Shortly afterward, a Nukhba terrorist force arrived near the kibbutz fence and the nearby Sufa military base, riding in two pickup trucks and about ten motorcycles. The terrorists dismounted and advanced toward the kibbutz, the “Dangur” memorial, and the Sufa base.

The terrorists engaged in gunfire with a backup force from the Nahal reconnaissance unit near the memorial. Four terrorists split off on two motorcycles and headed toward the kibbutz’ western gate. At 6:52 a.m., they reached the gate and attempted to enter. Minutes later, they killed a member of the emergency squad who had arrived at the gate in his vehicle. The terrorists then breached the kibbutz.

Simultaneously, the “Sufa” company commander instructed his forces to defend the nearby communities of Holit, Nir Yitzhak, and Sufa. At 7:00 a.m., a separate terrorist attack began at the Sufa base near the kibbutz. During that battle, nine soldiers were killed and about 30 were wounded.

At the same time, 19 Nahal reconnaissance soldiers were battling terrorists at the Dangur memorial, near the kibbutz' western entrance. During the battle, four soldiers were killed, including the sectoral company commander and a platoon commander from the Nahal unit, and six others were wounded. According to the investigation, the company forces did not proceed to defend the communities due to the deaths of commanders in battle and the intensity of the Hamas assault.

At 7:29 a.m., the four terrorists who had infiltrated Kibbutz Sufa raced into a resident’s home and murdered him. At 7:34 a.m., the Ravshatz spotted two terrorists near his home and eliminated them. About 15 minutes later, he spotted two more terrorists and also eliminated them. This marked the end of the first wave of the attack on the kibbutz.

At 10:30 a.m., about 30 terrorists gathered in the orchard area north of the kibbutz and began firing toward homes. In response, the emergency squad and two armed civilians from the kibbutz returned fire. One emergency squad member was critically wounded in the exchange and later died of his injuries. The gunfire halted the advance of some of the terrorists; some did manage to infiltrate the kibbutz, but were unable to reach the residential area.

At 11:53 a.m., the first reinforcement force arrived at the kibbutz’ western gate, led by the deputy commander of Division 80. The force included six soldiers, among them the commander of the Eilat LOTAR unit and three of his fighters. The team entered the kibbutz and began searching it. At 12:20 p.m., they joined the Ravshatz and engaged in combat with terrorists in the northwest section of the kibbutz, eliminating six terrorists who had infiltrated. Meanwhile, gunfights continued with dozens of terrorists positioned in the orchards outside the kibbutz.

The deputy commander of Division 80 contacted the commander of the 190th helicopter squadron, who was piloting a combat helicopter, and requested an airstrike on the terrorists in the orchards. The combat helicopter struck in two waves, killing many of the terrorists and halting their fire on the kibbutz, according to the investigation.

Around 2 p.m., additional reinforcements from the Yahalom special engineering unit and Eilat LOTAR arrived and began clearing the kibbutz. The operation to fully secure the area was completed by 6:30 p.m. Evacuation of residents began on the morning of Oct. 8. In the days following Oct. 7, additional terrorists were detected in the orchards outside the kibbutz – some were killed and others captured.

According to the investigation, the Ravshatz thwarted the initial attack, and the emergency squad’s fighting halted many of the terrorists. The tank sent to the fence at the start of the assault, and IDF forces who fought in the kibbutz, also helped prevent further harm to residents. The Air Force, especially combat helicopters, played a key role in halting the attack on the kibbutz.

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Itay Blumenthal and Carmela Menashe.