Golani Commander Warns of Surprise Hamas Raid Hours Before Attack on Kibbutz Kissufim

On September 28, 2023, Captain Ido Yitzhaki, commander of Golani Brigade's Company B responsible for the Kissufim sector, marked his 26th birthday during a divisional briefing that assessed the Gaza terror threat as low. Despite this, his company maintained daily ambushes along the border fence, aware that the situation was far from calm.

On the night of October 5-6, hours before the Hamas surprise attack, two unusual incidents occurred that were not thoroughly investigated by the IDF. At 10 p.m., three suspects were spotted crawling toward the border fence at observation post 136, but the IDF forbade firing and no air support was deployed; the suspects retreated without clear explanation. Around 3 a.m., five Hamas militants positioned themselves at a known Israeli observation post, prompting warning shots without intent to harm, after which they withdrew. These events were briefly noted in official reports but not deeply analyzed or escalated.

At 5:37 a.m. on October 6, Yitzhaki warned his troops over radio to prepare for a surprise raid, emphasizing vigilance and the absence of room for mistakes. Less than an hour later, Hamas militants attacked multiple points along the fence, including the previously noted locations. Israeli observers engaged the attackers, successfully neutralizing many, including a group of Hamas Nukhba commandos on motorcycles. Despite being outnumbered and heavily shelled with rockets and mortars, Yitzhaki’s company was one of the few units ready and managed to prevent further kidnappings and greater destruction in the kibbutz.

The battle resulted in the deaths of approximately 80 militants near the kibbutz and 25 at the military outpost. Among the defenders, several soldiers were killed, including sniper Guy Bazak and others who fought fiercely to defend the community. The rapid response and preparedness of Golani’s Company B saved many lives, though the kibbutz suffered the abduction and murder of 85-year-old resident Shlomo Manzur.

Following the battle, Yitzhaki, now a reserve lieutenant colonel, conducted extensive investigations and interviews, culminating in a new book titled "In the Blood of My Life Forever," dedicated to his fallen soldiers and survivors. The book reveals the deep intelligence Hamas had gathered on the kibbutz layout but also highlights the critical role of Israeli readiness in thwarting the attackers’ plans. The IDF’s failure to fully investigate the early warning signs remains a significant point of concern.

All details were cleared for publication by military censorship.