37 fighters couldn't prevent 3 terrorists from killing 17 civilians over two hours

On the morning of October 7, at around 7:00 AM in Netiv HaAsara, three terrorists faced 25 armed members of the local emergency response team, four Golani soldiers, and a command post including the battalion commander and deputy company commander. The battalion commander did not order the local security officer to engage, "forgot" about the Golani force waiting in the greenhouses, and did not pursue the two terrorists who ambushed him and then returned to Gaza. Golani soldiers waited for a location update on WhatsApp instead of advancing towards the enemy. The IDF later admitted: the battle ended with murdered civilians, no IDF casualties, and escaping terrorists.

Investigation into the Battle of Netiv HaAsara

The combat investigation presented to residents revealed a disturbing reality. Despite having complete aerial superiority over the infiltrating terrorists and a senior commander on-site early on, the IDF failed to prevent the massacre. Three terrorists managed to murder 17 civilians, with two of them escaping back to Gaza. The peak of the failure occurred at 6:55 AM when three terrorists stood against 37 fighters, including a battalion commander.

No IDF soldier was killed in Netiv HaAsara that day. The village, like Nahal Oz and Kerem Shalom, is one of the three Israeli communities closest to the Gaza border. The IDF inquiry, led by Lt. Col. A', a reservist commander who fought in Gaza, found a breakdown in military norms, over-reliance on technology, and a tragic reluctance to engage the enemy despite the advantage.

The investigation uncovered severe operational failures. The local security officer (Ravshatz), who is subordinate to the battalion, ordered 25 emergency response team members to remain indoors instead of fighting the infiltrators. He himself also stayed inside. His reasoning varied between poor judgment and fear of friendly fire. This, despite the fact that Netiv HaAsara’s emergency team was one of the most well-trained in the region, with members storing weapons in their homes instead of in a locked armory.

Golani Soldiers Failed to Engage

Four Golani soldiers stationed in the area exited to the greenhouses but lacked functioning radios, rendering them ineffective. They remained there for over an hour without engaging. Eventually, they entered the village but waited for a location update on WhatsApp instead of advancing towards gunfire.

Despite having the authority to order the local security officer to mobilize the emergency response team and link up with the Golani soldiers, the battalion commander failed to take decisive action. Upon encountering the terrorists, his unit was ambushed but sustained no casualties. The terrorists then used the opportunity to flee without being pursued.

Strategic Failures and Missed Opportunities

Between 6:29 AM and 1:00 PM, a series of critical mistakes unfolded:

The investigation also found that tank deployment had been mishandled. The northern brigade had ordered the commander not to position tanks at key locations, a decision that could have deterred the terrorists. Additionally, a drone strike at 7:14 AM was conducted for disruption rather than elimination, due to concerns about collateral damage.

A Culture of Complacency

The investigation exposed a pattern of erosion in combat readiness during peacetime, reliance on technological barriers instead of active defense, and mismanagement of limited resources. In the years between Operation Protective Edge (2014) and Operation Guardian of the Walls (2021), the number of IDF troops securing the village was drastically reduced from two platoons to a small squad. The perception that the area was secure led to insufficient defensive measures, with devastating consequences.

This case highlights failures in command, operational preparedness, and a lack of decisive action. Despite the bravery of individual fighters who disobeyed orders to remain passive, systemic issues prevented the IDF from stopping the massacre. The absence of accountability and disciplinary actions further compounds the frustration surrounding this tragic event.

As calls for an official commission of inquiry grow louder, the IDF has left any potential dismissals or command consequences in the hands of the incoming Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir.