On the morning of October 7, 2023, just as the sun rose over the serene Kibbutz Zikim, the residents awoke to the deafening sound of sirens. The coastal village, located near the Gaza border, had lived through tense days before, but no one could have anticipated the unprecedented scale of the terrorist assault that was about to unfold.

At 06:30, the Israeli Navy detected suspicious movements in the sea as several rubber boats packed with heavily armed Palestinian terrorists breached Israeli waters.
While the Navy managed to destroy five of the vessels, two boats loaded with operatives managed to slip through and head towards the shores near Kibbutz Zikim.
These terrorists, elite forces of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, were equipped with automatic rifles, grenades, and explosives with one chilling objective: to breach the kibbutz, murder civilians, and spread terror across southern Israel.

The Infiltration

At 06:42, a message was sent out by Eviatar Amar Werbner, the Ravshatz (Military Security Coordinator) of Kibbutz Zikim, alerting the 12 members of the kibbutz security squad. Positioned quickly along the perimeter fence, the squad knew they faced an overwhelming and ruthless enemy. In those critical minutes, Major Y., the commander of the elite Magellan unit who was on vacation in the kibbutz, joined the team to provide much-needed leadership.

Just a few minutes later, at 07:00, the first shots were heard. A firefight broke out between the security squad and a group of nine Palestinian terrorists who had reached the kibbutz fence after seizing an Israeli military vehicle from the Zikim Beach area. Terrorists opened fire, using RPGs and throwing explosives towards the defenses, but the kibbutz team held their ground, engaged in fierce combat to repel the intruders.

First Casualties

By 07:15, two members of the security team, Haim Yusunov and Danny Burda, were hit by grenades thrown by the terrorists. Despite these injuries, the team remained determined to protect their homes and loved ones. Major Y. took charge of the situation, coordinating efforts to defend the kibbutz from the waves of attackers. Evacuating the wounded under fire, the squad’s bravery was beyond commendable.

A Heroic Stand

At around 07:20, the battles raged on. The security team, alongside Major Y., detected another group of terrorists attempting to advance toward the kibbutz using the stolen Israeli Savannah vehicle. A brutal exchange of fire ensued, lasting for nearly 45 minutes. The fighters managed to kill several terrorists, forcing the remaining Palestinian terrorists to withdraw toward the surrounding dunes.

As the day progressed, rocket fire from Gaza continued to bombard the kibbutz, but the team did not falter. At 09:05, the final group of Hamas terrorists who tried to ambush the kibbutz was intercepted and eliminated by the kibbutz’s defenders. Their resolve to protect their homes and families in the face of overwhelming odds was a testament to their courage and commitment.

The Aftermath

The battle for Kibbutz Zikim continued for hours, but the security squad held their positions until 2:30 AM the next day. Despite the heroic efforts of the defenders, the kibbutz sustained damage from rocket fire, and several buildings were destroyed. Civilians, many of them families with small children, were evacuated throughout the day under the protection of the kibbutz’s brave defenders.

The Palestinian attack on Zikim was part of a broader and coordinated offensive aimed at breaching multiple civilian communities in southern Israel. Though heavily outnumbered, the security squad’s swift response and determination prevented further loss of life within the kibbutz. Their efforts, alongside the assistance of military forces, ensured that the terrorists who made it to the perimeter were either killed or driven off.

The assault on Kibbutz Zikim stands as a reminder of the constant threat Israel faces from Hamas and its backers. On that fateful October day, while the world watched in horror, the bravery and resolve of a small group of defenders stood between innocent civilians and merciless killers. Though the price was high, the kibbutz survived the day, its members forever indebted to the courage of those who gave everything to defend their home.

The residents of Zikim continue to mourn their fallen, yet their spirit remains unbroken. They represent the unyielding resilience of Israel in the face of terror, ensuring that no matter the cost, Israel will defend its people.