Yad Mordechai
October 7th Massacre
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian terrorists attempted to infiltrate Kibbutz Yad Mordechai.
The kibbutz’s security squad, assisted by special forces under Commander Arnon Zamora, repelled the attack.
After fierce fighting, they eliminated 33 terrorists, preventing a massacre and securing the area. Civilians were later evacuated to safety.
On October 7, 2023, during the early morning hours of Simchat Torah, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai found itself under siege by Palestinian terrorists. Located near Gaza, this kibbutz was a target as part of a coordinated and widespread attack across southern Israel. Despite the celebrations planned for the kibbutz’s 80th anniversary, the sound of the 06:29 alarm led to the swift cancellation of the morning triathlon event. Residents who might otherwise have been out in the open remained inside, which likely saved many lives.
Infiltration and Early Defense
At 06:41, the Southern District Police Chief declared a state of emergency, activating “Parash Pleshet,” an emergency response command due to the hostile incursion. Within minutes, the kibbutz’s security squad, numbering 16 members, mobilized to defend their home. Border Police forces stationed within the kibbutz took up positions as mortar fire began raining down, and soon the first sightings of Hamas militants were reported.
By 06:47, Micha Regev, the kibbutz’s Ravshatz (Security Coordinator), detected terrorist movements near the fence, including a hovercraft infiltration at the nearby village of Netiv HaAsara. He and the security squad fired upon terrorists traveling in vans and motorcycles along Highway 4, aiming to push northward.
Battle at Yad Mordechai Junction
At 07:22, four Border Police officers encountered a civilian fleeing north along Highway 4, who warned them that more than 15 terrorists were en route. In the next few minutes, a firefight erupted at the Yad Mordechai Junction, where the terrorists, traveling in vehicles, opened fire. Despite being outnumbered, the Border Police engaged them from about 30 meters away, holding their ground until reinforcements arrived.
By 07:23, the terrorists fired RPG rockets at the defenders. During this intense battle, one fighter ran out of cartridges but continued taking pictures of enemy positions to coordinate with backup forces.
Counterattack by Special Forces
At 07:25, Commander Arnon Zamora, leading a special forces unit, arrived at the scene. His team, composed of elite forces, began a systematic assault on the terrorists. The unit killed 13 Hamas terrorists near Highway 4, and others were forced to retreat. However, some militants regrouped near the kibbutz’s dairy farm.
At 08:33, terrorists hiding in the orchards attempted to ambush Zamora’s force. The special forces launched a counterattack, killing 20 more terrorists and destroying their vehicle, which was suspected of being booby-trapped. A Lao missile was fired to neutralize the threat. Maps of strategic targets, including Yad Mordechai Junction and Kfar Silver, were found on the terrorists’ bodies, revealing their sinister plans.
Continuing Operations
By 09:32, Zamora’s forces were pursuing the remaining terrorists, and by 10:30, the special forces had successfully killed three more terrorists who had been hiding in the area. The relentless defense of Yad Mordechai prevented a massacre and saved countless lives. Throughout the day, the area was still hit by rockets, but the combined efforts of the security squad, Border Police, and special forces ensured the kibbutz remained protected.
At 12:15, a tragic event unfolded. South of the kibbutz, terrorists ambushed a group of civilians and soldiers. Two civilians and two soldiers were killed after a long firefight, despite the courageous efforts of their comrades to defend them.
Evacuation and Conclusion
As the day wore on, the security squad of Yad Mordechai continued their valiant defense, and by 17:00, the decision was made to evacuate the remaining civilians. Families left independently, under the cover of the defenders, ensuring the safety of the kibbutz members. The assault on Yad Mordechai was one of the many brutal attempts by Hamas to invade Israeli territory, but the courage and resilience of the defenders turned the tide. The special forces’ operation, under Commander Arnon Zamora, led to the elimination of 33 terrorists, preventing their entry into the kibbutz and safeguarding countless lives.
06:29
The first alarm is triggered across Kibbutz Yad Mordechai as part of the widespread rocket and mortar attack launched by Palestinian from Gaza. The kibbutz’s planned triathlon event for Simchat Torah is immediately canceled. Residents, many of whom were preparing to leave for their morning run, remain inside the kibbutz.
06:41
Chief Amir Cohen, the commander of the Southern District Police, announces “Parash Pleshet,” declaring a state of emergency due to the hostile incursion into Israel. Border Police units stationed at Yad Mordechai begin mobilizing, and two female soldiers guarding the gate lock it and prepare for action. The kibbutz’s security squad, led by Micha Regev, is alerted.
06:47
Micha Regev and the kibbutz’s security squad of 16 members take up defensive positions along the kibbutz perimeter and fence. Regev spots a hovercraft infiltrating the nearby village of Netiv HaAsara. Suspicious traffic is also detected along Highway 4, with terrorists in vans and motorcycles moving north toward Yad Mordechai Junction. Regev opens fire on the advancing terrorists.
07:22
Four Border Police officers stationed at Yad Mordechai encounter a wounded civilian who warns them of approaching terrorists. Within seconds, more than 15 terrorists arrive at the Yad Mordechai Junction in vans and motorcycles, opening fire on the officers. A fierce firefight breaks out, with the forces exchanging fire at a distance of about 30 meters.
07:23
Palestinian terrorists launch RPG rockets at the Border Police officers. One explodes 10 meters away from the fighters, but they continue holding their ground. One officer runs out of cartridges but manages to coordinate with backup forces, sharing the terrorists’ locations for reinforcements.
07:25
Commander Arnon Zamora, leading a special forces unit, arrives at the scene. His elite team quickly joins the firefight, waging battle against the Hamas terrorists. Over the next hour, Zamora’s team successfully kills 13 terrorists near Highway 4, forcing the remaining attackers to retreat into nearby orchards and the kibbutz dairy farm.
08:33
A unit of the security squad detects terrorists hiding in the orchards near the kibbutz’s dairy farm. The police special forces, along with Border Police, split into groups. Some advance south to prevent further infiltration along the fence, while others, led by Arnon Zamora, move to engage the hidden terrorists.
09:32
Zamora’s forces detect a van filled with terrorists near the dairy farm. Believing it to be booby-trapped, the team fires a Lao missile at the vehicle, destroying it. They eliminate an additional 20 terrorists hiding in the orchards. Maps of strategic Israeli targets, including Yad Mordechai Junction and Tel Nof Base, are found on the bodies of the terrorists.
10:30
The special forces team finishes clearing the area and is replaced by a Yamas Police force. This new force continues to secure the area and encounters three wounded terrorists who had been missed earlier. After the terrorists open fire, the Yamas team kills them. Despite these efforts, rocket fire from Gaza continues to fall on the kibbutz throughout the day, causing property damage.
12:15
South of Yad Mordechai, three civilians who had been hiding for hours are attacked by Hamas terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, two civilians—Kobi Pariente and Naomi Shitrit Azulay—are murdered, along with two soldiers, Sgt. Itay Marciano and Sgt. Ilay Gamzo. The terrorists are ultimately killed, but one is captured alive for interrogation.
17:00
By late afternoon, the situation around Yad Mordechai remains tense, but most terrorists have been neutralized. The kibbutz security squad decides to open a route for civilian evacuation. Many families leave independently, heading to safety as IDF and special forces continue to patrol the area and secure the kibbutz.
19:00
At the Yad Mordechai gas station, Koral Yisrael and Adar Buzaglo, who had been hiding since morning after fleeing the Nova Festival, are rescued. They had been providing CPR to their friend, Ofek Arbiv, a soldier in the Paratrooper Brigade who was critically wounded by terrorist gunfire. Despite their efforts, Ofek succumbs to his injuries, but the two civilians are safely evacuated after a day of terror.
