Nir Oz Battle Commander Reveals Harrowing Oct. 7 Recordings

Nissan De Kalo, who commanded the battle at Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, has revealed recordings from that day, which he kept locked away for three years. The recordings capture the sounds of gunfire, calls for help, and his final conversation with the kibbutz's security coordinator, Ilan Fiorentino, who was killed in action. De Kalo, who was serving as deputy security coordinator at the time, was at home with his children when the attack began. He recounts instructing them to lock themselves in their safe room while he went out to fight with his personal weapon.

His phone recorded his initial conversation with Fiorentino at 6:52 AM, where they assessed the situation as not yet fully understood. However, a subsequent call at 7:10 AM from Fiorentino warned De Kalo not to come, as there was heavy gunfire. Fiorentino was killed shortly after. De Kalo then assumed the role of security coordinator, understanding the critical need to defend the kibbutz. Facing a lack of armed civilian defense teams, he resolved not to be taken alive.

Later, De Kalo was joined by Yaakov Krasninsky and his Magban force. In a fierce battle against dozens of terrorists, Krasninsky was killed and four of his men were wounded. De Kalo, a former medic, evacuated the wounded under fire, later stating that all four survived. To counter approximately 200 terrorists who entered the kibbutz, De Kalo initiated a tactic called "Tzvi's Force," involving constant movement of a small unit to create the impression of a larger military presence.

By 12:30 PM, their armored vehicle was hit by an RPG and ammunition ran low. De Kalo made a desperate call to Gaza Division, pleading for air support and reinforcements, stating they were seven people alone and running out of ammunition. First response forces from the Givati and Maglan brigades arrived only at 1:30 PM. De Kalo briefed the arriving soldiers, emphasizing a house-by-house clearing operation. Despite the loss of 15 residents and security personnel and additional residents being taken hostage, De Kalo's actions prevented any homes from burning and saved over 400 residents.

De Kalo is now recognized as a disabled IDF veteran dealing with severe post-traumatic stress. He was unable to return to his home for three years and is accompanied by his service dog, "Oko." He has recently returned to his home in Nir Oz and reflects on the difficulty of killing, stating that each terrorist killed takes a piece of him. However, he affirms he would repeat his actions on October 7, despite the immense personal cost.