On 7 October, the Israeli military base at Nahal Oz, located just a kilometer from the Gaza border, became the center of one of the deadliest attacks in Israel’s history. In a swift and unexpected offensive, Hamas forces overran the base, resulting in the deaths of more than 60 Israeli soldiers and the capture of others. The event shocked Israel, revealing vulnerabilities within its highly regarded military defenses.
Prior to the attack, soldiers at Nahal Oz had observed unusual quiet along the Gaza border, raising concerns. Despite these signs, the base was unprepared for the scale and speed of the Hamas assault. Several factors contributed to the tragic outcome: many troops stationed at the base were unarmed, surveillance equipment was damaged or destroyed with ease, and intelligence warnings were not adequately acted upon.
The attack commenced around 06:20 with a rocket barrage, followed by Hamas forces breaching the border fence by 06:30. The situation rapidly deteriorated, as communication systems failed and backup was delayed. By 07:00, Hamas gunmen had reached the base’s war room, initiating close-quarters combat that lasted for hours. Israeli soldiers fought valiantly but were outnumbered and overwhelmed.
Despite these efforts, the military response was hampered by confusion, inadequate defense infrastructure, and a lack of immediate reinforcements. It wasn’t until 09:45, more than three hours after the initial breach, that an Israeli helicopter arrived to engage the attackers.
As the day wore on, the scale of the Hamas incursion became clearer. It was a highly coordinated attack involving over 70 breaches along the Gaza-Israel border. For the soldiers at Nahal Oz, there was no escape. By the time the base was regained, it was too late for many.
The survivors, along with the families of those killed or captured, are left with difficult questions: why was the base so poorly defended, why were warnings ignored, and how could such a catastrophic event unfold within the military’s grasp? One year on, these questions remain unanswered, as Israel continues its investigation into one of the darkest days in its history.
The assault on Nahal Oz marked a significant moment, revealing not only the tactical capabilities of Hamas but also vulnerabilities within Israel’s border defenses. As the Israeli military faces growing scrutiny, the events of 7 October serve as a somber reminder of the unpredictable nature of conflict and the high human cost of underestimating a threat.