The IDF has released the findings of their operational investigation into the battle at Kibbutz Gevim on October 7, following a presentation to local residents.
The investigation concludes that the IDF failed in its responsibility to protect the kibbutz during the massacre. The community's defense relied almost entirely on the local civilian security squad, which played a critical role in repelling the terrorists.
According to the report, eight terrorists attempted to infiltrate Kibbutz Gevim but were stopped before breaching the settlement. They later retreated toward Route 34 and the nearby moshav of Yakhini, where they were eventually killed in clashes with security forces.
Key Events of the Attack
The attack unfolded in two main stages:
First Stage (06:29-07:25): Red alerts and visual sightings of terrorist movements were recorded near Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council facilities. The local security officer and his deputy alerted the kibbutz’s security squad. At 07:25, the terrorists reached the main gate, where three armed confrontations took place.
Second Stage (07:25-07:28): While on patrol, the security officer was wounded in an exchange of fire but managed to shoot at the attackers, disrupting their assault. His deputy mobilized the rest of the security squad. During the firefight, a senior Home Front Command officer and another civilian were also injured.
After being pushed back, the terrorists moved toward Yakhini and Route 34, where they fired at passing vehicles. At 07:30, the deputy security officer and Brig. Gen. (res.) Gil Schwartzman arrived at the scene and took command. Schwartzman continued to serve as acting security officer for the next three months.
Later, at 08:04, the terrorists split up. One group set an ambush on Route 34, killing two Supernova music festival survivors. Maglan commando Amit Guetta was killed trying to stop the ambush. Between 08:10 and 10:40, all eight terrorists were killed in clashes with police, special forces, and armed civilians.
At 10:30, Battalion 13 commander Lt. Col. Tomer Greenberg (later killed in combat) arrived at the kibbutz, received ammunition from the civilian defenders, and proceeded to Kfar Aza. By 12:00, 12 civilians were rescued from a gas station shelter. Search and defense operations continued into the evening.
That night, Shaldag special forces and police tactical units responded to suspected militant movements near Givat HaGamal, engaging with gunfire and conducting searches.
Only on Sunday, October 8, at 16:00—more than 24 hours later—did a formal military force arrive to secure Kibbutz Gevim. Until then, the local security squad had been solely responsible for defense and rescue efforts. Most residents evacuated on their own, with some later assisted by the IDF.
Additional bodies of terrorists and foreign workers (one wounded, one killed) were later discovered in the area, along with sporadic clashes.
Main Conclusions:
- The IDF did not fulfill its duty to defend Kibbutz Gevim during the October 7 attack.
- The local civilian security squad was instrumental in stopping the initial infiltration and maintaining defense throughout the day.
- The terrorists failed to breach the kibbutz but continued deadly attacks along Route 34 and in Yakhini.
- Coordination and mutual support among the security squad and residents were described as exemplary.
- The squad’s assistance to Battalion 13 and rescue of civilians from the gas station shelter were critical actions.
- Medical aid and the life-saving independent evacuation of wounded residents are highlighted as key moments.
- Like other Gaza region communities, most residents self-evacuated without waiting for military orders.
- The kibbutz’s proximity to the Gaza border (0-4 km) qualifies it for priority allocation of defense resources.
- The absence of surveillance cameras on the kibbutz’s perimeter prevented a full reconstruction of events.