In a newly released IDF investigative report, chilling details have emerged about one of the fiercest battles that took place on the morning of Simchas Torah, October 7, at the MOP (Research and Development) base in the Kissufim area. At least 35 heavily armed Hamas terrorists took control of the camp, but the brave and determined actions of the soldiers stationed there—especially those barricaded in the base dining hall—prevented a large-scale massacre.
Four soldiers were killed in the battle: Captain Shila Rauchberger, Sergeant Amichai Rubin, Staff Sergeant Shlomo Reshtnikov, and Staff Sergeant Dvir Chaim Ressler. The report, presented to the bereaved families and base personnel, commends the heroism displayed by the soldiers and commanders who fought back against overwhelming odds. Despite being outnumbered and caught off-guard, their relentless resistance and front-line leadership earned them praise and recognition.
The investigation, led by Lt. Col. Nof Brown, took ten months and included interviews with combatants, reviews of operations logs, surveillance footage, drone images, audio recordings, and classified intelligence. The goal was to reconstruct the precise sequence of events at the base on that tragic day.
According to the findings, a minimum of 35 terrorists infiltrated the camp; at least 10 were killed in direct combat by IDF soldiers. The surprise Hamas attack began at 6:29 a.m. with a barrage of rockets across southern Israel. Within minutes, dozens of terrorists breached the Israeli border using motorcycles, vehicles, and on foot. Several broke into the MOP base through gaps in the gates.
The first stage of the attack lasted from 6:29 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., during which the terrorists stormed the base and opened fire on key structures. Most soldiers had taken shelter in the dining hall, which quickly became a central battleground. The attackers fired rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, and hurled grenades and explosives at the building.
Recognizing the risk of a massacre, Captain Shila Rauchberger and another officer commanded the soldiers inside to defend the two entrances. Their courageous response halted the terrorists’ advance into the hall and initiated a three-hour battle. Repeated attempts by the terrorists to breach the building were repelled. Despite being wounded, several soldiers continued fighting until they required evacuation.
At around 8:15 a.m., terrorists placed an explosive on the door of a southern shelter. Staff Sergeant Dvir Chaim Ressler shielded the door with his body, absorbing the blast and saving two fellow soldiers. One of them was injured. The terrorists eventually abandoned their efforts to break in after failing to force entry.
At 9:00 a.m., the second phase began. A five-man IDF patrol arrived and began rescuing wounded soldiers. The door of the shelter blown open by the terrorists was finally accessed later that evening. Reinforcements were delayed due to ambushes along the access roads.
At 12:30 p.m., a former deputy company commander who had come from home took command at the base, defying warnings about ambushes. He organized defense posts, assigned tasks, and oversaw the medical evacuation process. A helicopter from Unit 669 landed nearby and extracted wounded soldiers under heavy fire.
Around 2:03 p.m., a platoon commander spotted three terrorists 50–70 meters away and neutralized them. Elsewhere in the camp, additional forces eliminated four more. Helicopters had been providing covering fire but ceased once friendly forces were identified nearby.
By 3:40 p.m., a medevac helicopter had landed in the heart of the base and evacuated five more injured personnel. Additional reinforcements from the Golani Brigade arrived by 9:00 p.m. to strengthen defenses and allow the base’s original unit to regroup.
Key Conclusions from the Investigation:

1. The sheer scale and surprise of the attack initially overwhelmed the soldiers. For several hours, the terrorists had operational control of the base. Even after early warnings from surveillance posts, defending forces were unable to leave the camp to assist nearby communities.
2. The unwavering resistance of the IDF troops disrupted Hamas’s plans and dramatically reduced casualties. Their courageous actions, even while wounded, directly prevented a massacre in the dining hall and shelters.
3. The former officer who arrived independently and took command played a vital role in saving lives and restoring operational order.
4. The Air Force also played a critical role in life-saving evacuations under fire, working closely with ground troops despite extreme conditions.
5. A lack of early warning left the base unprepared. Standard defense protocols weren’t fully implemented, and guard positions were abandoned during the initial “Red Alert” sirens.
6. The early loss of command and control during the battle hindered the base’s defense efforts. Still, commanders fought at the front and exemplified leadership through personal courage and direct engagement with the enemy.

The report concludes that despite the operational setbacks and devastating losses, the bravery of the IDF soldiers at the MOP base averted an even greater tragedy. Their names and actions will be remembered with honor.
{Matzav.com Israel}