Senior Shin Bet Commander Feared Hamas Capture on October 7

A senior commander in Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, residing in a kibbutz near the Gaza border, faced a critical rescue operation on October 7 due to fears she might be captured by Hamas. The incident, detailed in a forthcoming report on Channel 12's "Ha'arutha Merkazit," involved a dramatic rescue effort where prioritizing targets was paramount.

Former head of Shin Bet's southern region explained the commander's immense value to the organization, comparing her potential capture to that of a high-ranking intelligence officer. He stressed that losing such an individual, due to the extensive knowledge and sensitive information she possessed, would constitute a significant intelligence blow to Israel.

Despite the urgency to extract the commander, rescue teams were simultaneously tasked with saving families engaged in fierce battles for their lives against terrorists. A combatant from the elite "Tequila" team described the difficult decision-making process, emphasizing that while the commander's immediate extraction was crucial to prevent her falling into Hamas hands, the priority was to first rescue families under direct attack.

"We know we need to get her out as early as possible, and she must not fall into Hamas hands," the fighter stated. "The amount of knowledge she holds is such that it must not reach them." However, he reiterated, "But before we go and rescue her, first we must go and rescue the families we know are fighting terrorists trying to break into their safe rooms. The prioritization is clear. We are fighting for people's lives first and foremost."