Division 162's Dramatic October 7th Actions and Commander's Leadership

Exclusive documentation released on Wednesday, marking three years since the start of the Swords of Iron War, details the operations of Division 162 on October 7th. The division's headquarters and forces were rapidly deployed south, with units advancing towards the Gaza Strip. Following the death of Nahal Brigade Commander Colonel Yonatan Steinberg in battle, a successor was appointed. Division 162 also assumed responsibility for a portion of the Gaza Division's sector amidst ongoing fighting in communities and bases.

At the time, Division 162 was commanded by Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, who had assumed command just over a week prior and was later promoted to Major General. Investigations reveal that days before October 7th, Cohen convened his staff at his home, instructing the division's intelligence officer to gather additional material and commanders to prepare for various scenarios due to unusual developments in Gaza. He also ordered checks on the readiness of storage facilities.

On the morning of October 7th, after the Hamas attack began, Division 162's headquarters was activated at Shorak. Assessments were conducted to establish a situational picture of the events unfolding in the south. Cohen decided to advance the division's forces toward the Gaza Strip, initiating the deployment of troops, armored personnel carriers, and other armored vehicles southward, as seen in footage on Highway 6 towards the Gaza envelope.

During the southward movement, news arrived of Colonel Steinberg's death. Cohen appointed Colonel Yair Zuckerman, who was with him, as the new commander of the Nahal Brigade. Zuckerman then proceeded to the Nahal forces engaged in combat near Kerem Shalom. Division 162 forces were dispatched to various locations in the Gaza envelope throughout the day. Later, the division took over responsibility for part of the Gaza Division's area as its own forces battled the Hamas assault.

Division 162 units entered communities and bases, engaging Palestinian militants. Around 4:30-5:00 PM, the division commander's forward command post stopped near Kibbutz Sa'ad for an assessment. An improvised command center was later established in Moshav Zameret with reservists and operational staff to manage forces in the Gaza envelope and prepare for continued fighting. By evening, the command post reached Kfar Aza and Sderot, with footage showing assessments with brigade commanders operating in different sectors.

Approximately three weeks after October 7th, Division 162 participated in the ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, operating initially in the north and then in other areas. The division's involvement expanded throughout the war, with 13 brigade combat teams operating under its command at its peak.