Givati Brigade's Battle for Pogah Outpost on October 7th Detailed

A detailed investigation into the defense of the Pogah outpost on October 7th reveals hours of desperate fighting by a company from the Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion against Hamas attackers. The soldiers, on high alert since dawn, faced a multi-pronged surprise assault starting at 6:29 AM, involving dozens of terrorists on foot and vehicles, extensive anti-tank missile fire, and explosives. Some soldiers were forced into a survival battle within the outpost's dining hall, which caught fire.

The initial phase of the attack saw terrorists breach the defenses at numerous points. At 6:29 AM, following "Red Alert" warnings, soldiers took cover in protected areas, with the fortified dining hall designated as a company assembly point. Tank crews and other forces were ordered to engage the enemy, with one tank opening fire on terrorists crossing the border fence around 6:41 AM. Another tank was hit by an RPG fired from a drone shortly after, disabling it but allowing its crew to continue firing.

By 6:55 AM, nine terrorists had infiltrated the outpost. The fighting intensified as terrorists attacked the mortar positions and the outpost entrance. Despite heavy fire and casualties, including the loss of soldiers and severe injuries, the remaining defenders fought fiercely. A plan to evacuate the wounded from the dining hall by armored personnel carriers (Namer) faced setbacks, including a failed attempt due to a mine explosion and communication issues.

Later phases of the battle saw continued intense combat, with terrorists attempting to breach the outpost multiple times. The outpost commander and another soldier were killed in action at the guard post around 10:35 AM. A combat helicopter strike disrupted an attack on the company assembly point. By 11:30 AM, a unit commander decided to withdraw his forces from the outpost due to heavy fire. The dining hall became a focal point of resistance, with soldiers blocking entrances and fighting off attackers, eventually succumbing to smoke from fires set by the terrorists.

Rescue forces, including the LOTAR counter-terrorism unit and Golani Brigade officers, arrived in the evening between 4:20 PM and 4:50 PM. They cleared the outpost, linked up with surviving soldiers, and evacuated the wounded. No terrorists remained in the compound upon their arrival. However, during a later mission to collect fallen soldiers, an anti-tank missile hit the convoy, resulting in further casualties.