A year after the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7 , Israel is still grappling with the aftermath of the deadliest day in its history. The country's powerful military was caught off guard and quickly overwhelmed, leaving many questioning how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The BBC has gathered accounts from families and survivors about the events that unfolded at the Nahal Oz military base, which guarded the border with Gaza. The base was overrun by Hamas gunmen, resulting in the deaths of more than 60 Israeli soldiers and the capture of others.
According to the BBC's findings, many soldiers at the base had noticed suspicious activity and an abrupt halt to Hamas activity in the days leading up to the attack. However, the military's response to these warnings and intelligence appears to have been inadequate.
Questions have been raised about the lack of armed soldiers at the base, the delay in reinforcements, and the infrastructure of the base itself, which may have left those stationed there vulnerable.
The IDF has said that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the events of October 7, including those at Nahal Oz and the circumstances preceding the attack. The BBC's findings have been presented to the IDF for comment.
Eyewitness accounts from soldiers and surveillance officers at Nahal Oz paint a picture of the speed and intensity of the Hamas invasion . The all-women military unit responsible for monitoring border cameras witnessed multiple breaches of the fence they were tasked with surveilling. As the attack progressed, surveillance screens went dark, and the base's observation balloon, which was supposed to provide a deeper view into Gaza, was out of action.
The situation escalated rapidly, with Hamas gunmen reaching the door of the base's war room, known as the Hamal. Soldiers inside the Hamal were forced to abandon their positions and seek shelter in an office within the room. Despite repeated calls for support, reinforcements were slow to arrive, leaving the soldiers at the base outnumbered and fighting for their lives.
The attack on the Hamal intensified, with Hamas fighters shooting inside and throwing grenades. The electricity was cut, releasing the electric locks on the doors and leaving the war room exposed. Soldiers inside the Hamal faced suffocating smoke and toxic substances, with only a few managing to escape through a toilet window.
By the end of the day, Israel had regained control, but the toll was devastating. Across the country, approximately 1,200 people, including more than 300 soldiers, were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage. Seven Tatzpitaniyot were captured and taken back to Gaza, where one was killed, another rescued, and five remain in captivity.
The survivors and families of those killed and kidnapped are left with many unanswered questions about how the attack could have happened and why the military's response was so inadequate. The IDF's official inquiry into the events of that day is yet to be published, leaving many still searching for answers and accountability.
The BBC has gathered accounts from families and survivors about the events that unfolded at the Nahal Oz military base, which guarded the border with Gaza. The base was overrun by Hamas gunmen, resulting in the deaths of more than 60 Israeli soldiers and the capture of others.
According to the BBC's findings, many soldiers at the base had noticed suspicious activity and an abrupt halt to Hamas activity in the days leading up to the attack. However, the military's response to these warnings and intelligence appears to have been inadequate.
Questions have been raised about the lack of armed soldiers at the base, the delay in reinforcements, and the infrastructure of the base itself, which may have left those stationed there vulnerable.
The IDF has said that it is conducting a thorough investigation into the events of October 7, including those at Nahal Oz and the circumstances preceding the attack. The BBC's findings have been presented to the IDF for comment.
Eyewitness accounts from soldiers and surveillance officers at Nahal Oz paint a picture of the speed and intensity of the Hamas invasion . The all-women military unit responsible for monitoring border cameras witnessed multiple breaches of the fence they were tasked with surveilling. As the attack progressed, surveillance screens went dark, and the base's observation balloon, which was supposed to provide a deeper view into Gaza, was out of action.
The situation escalated rapidly, with Hamas gunmen reaching the door of the base's war room, known as the Hamal. Soldiers inside the Hamal were forced to abandon their positions and seek shelter in an office within the room. Despite repeated calls for support, reinforcements were slow to arrive, leaving the soldiers at the base outnumbered and fighting for their lives.
The attack on the Hamal intensified, with Hamas fighters shooting inside and throwing grenades. The electricity was cut, releasing the electric locks on the doors and leaving the war room exposed. Soldiers inside the Hamal faced suffocating smoke and toxic substances, with only a few managing to escape through a toilet window.
By the end of the day, Israel had regained control, but the toll was devastating. Across the country, approximately 1,200 people, including more than 300 soldiers, were killed, and 251 others were taken hostage. Seven Tatzpitaniyot were captured and taken back to Gaza, where one was killed, another rescued, and five remain in captivity.
The survivors and families of those killed and kidnapped are left with many unanswered questions about how the attack could have happened and why the military's response was so inadequate. The IDF's official inquiry into the events of that day is yet to be published, leaving many still searching for answers and accountability.
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