Givati Brigade Commander Reflects on October 7, Gaza Operations, and IDF Resilience
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Colonel Natanel Shamah, commander of the Givati Brigade, reported that 80% of Hamas's significant capabilities have been neutralized and 90% of its tunnels destroyed, leading to a calmer situation in Gaza. He acknowledged that the IDF's trust has not fully recovered since October 7, but operations are rebuilding it. The Givati Brigade has lost 82 soldiers, and Shamah highlighted a successful hostage rescue operation. He also discussed the challenges of fighting in Lebanon and the need for soldiers to readjust to routine after combat.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Givati Brigade Commander Colonel Natanel Shamah states 80% of Hamas's significant capabilities and 90% of its tunnels are destroyed.
- The IDF's trust has not fully returned since October 7, but operations are rebuilding it, according to Shamah.
- The Givati Brigade has lost 82 soldiers since the start of the war.
- A key operation under Shamah's command led to the return of hostages, including Hadar Goldin and Assaf Hamami.
- Seven Givati soldiers were killed by explosive drones in southern Lebanon.
- Shamah believes soldier morale is high, but acknowledges challenges in transitioning from combat to routine.
Brigade Commander Colonel Natanel Shamah of the Givati Brigade, which has extensive experience in the Gaza Strip, stated that the situation in Gaza is now significantly calmer, with Hamas's significant capabilities reduced by 80% and 90% of its tunnels destroyed. While Hamas still possesses some capabilities, such as short-range rockets and the ability for terrorists to move, it currently lacks the capacity to launch attacks on Israeli communities. Shamah emphasized that the relative quiet should not lead to complacency, and soldiers must remain vigilant and remember the events of October 7.
Shamah acknowledged that the IDF's credibility has not fully returned since the failures of October 7, describing it as a process of rebuilding trust through ongoing operations. He noted that the Givati Brigade has lost 82 soldiers since the war began, with most casualties occurring in the first year. Eight soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, seven of them by explosive drones.
A significant operation during his command was "Operation Gideon's Chariots B," which led to the return of hostages, including Hadar Goldin and Assaf Hamami. He recounted a challenging entry into Shuja'iyya in Gaza City, where intelligence warned of heavy enemy presence, but the brigade proceeded with its plan and achieved its objectives without casualties.
Following operations in Gaza, the Givati Brigade was deployed to northern Israel, participating in defensive actions and later fighting in southern Lebanon, including the Beaufort Ridge. Shamah praised the soldiers' performance and noted that seven soldiers were killed by explosive drones in Lebanon, though he believes the IDF's response to this threat has improved.
Shamah also addressed the issue of soldier morale, stating he does not feel burnout in the regular forces, attributing this to the constant influx of new, motivated soldiers. However, he acknowledged that transitioning from intense combat to routine requires adjustments. He also touched upon a recent disciplinary incident involving about 120 soldiers from the Tzabar Battalion leaving their base, explaining it as a reaction to a commander's actions and threats from veteran soldiers, leading to the dismissal of 20 soldiers.
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