The Battle for Mefalsim: Civilian heroes held the line as IDF faltered in defense

The presentation of the operational investigation regarding the battle in the vicinity of Kibbutz Mifalsim, the 'Black Arrow' monument, and the Sha'ar HaNegev junction has been completed, and its findings were presented to the members of the Kibbutz Mifalsim community and to the bereaved families.

Former Southern Command Chief, Major General Yaron Finkelman, summarized the investigation. The investigation team determined that the IDF failed in its mission to defend Kibbutz Mifalsim and the surrounding area.

The operation of the Yamam and Shabak forces at the Sha'ar HaNegev junction and the entrance to the kibbutz saved many lives and prevented a broad kidnapping into the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the actions of the IDF forces, both ground and air, alongside the local security forces, residents, and the emergency response unit, deserve commendation for thwarting the terrorists' attacks.

During the fighting, thirteen members of the security forces fell, including six IDF fighters, one Shabak fighter, and six Yamam fighters. Also, additional soldiers and civilians were injured. During the battle, a fallen IDF soldier was kidnapped and returned for burial in December 2023. In the brutal terrorist attack along Route 232 and in the fortified shelters along its length, seventy-seven civilians were killed.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on October 7, around 30 terrorists launched a coordinated assault on Kibbutz Mefalsim. At the same time, about 50 terrorists raided Sha’ar HaNegev Junction and the Black Arrow area. By 7:07 a.m., the attackers reached the junction and began firing at vehicles on the road.

A YAMAM counter-terror unit engaged the terrorists and, despite coming under heavy fire, continued to evacuate the wounded. A larger YAMAM force later gained control of the junction, though at a high cost—six of its fighters were killed. By 8:46 a.m., the area was secured, and reinforcements arrived.

In parallel, terrorists breached the border fence near Mefalsim as rocket sirens blared across the region. The kibbutz's civilian security coordinator began evacuating residents and, at 6:56 a.m., came under fire. He immediately called in the civilian security squad. Five members engaged the advancing terrorists by 7:10 a.m.

At 8:00 a.m., about 30 terrorists stormed the kibbutz’s main gate, infiltrated an area where foreign workers were living, and abducted 12 individuals. The civilian squad managed to repel a second infiltration attempt from the southwest. At 9:30 a.m., a combined YAMAM and ISA force arrived, killing the remaining terrorists at the entrance to the kibbutz. By the afternoon, residents were able to evacuate safely.

Meanwhile, in the Black Arrow region, Israeli forces spotted roughly 10 vans and five motorcycles crossing the border. Beginning at 6:45 a.m., terrorists entered through the Black Arrow memorial site and set up ambushes along Route 232, opening fire on civilian vehicles. Elite units from the Maglan and YAMAM brigades combed the area, killing several attackers.

At 10:30 a.m., terrorists ambushed a YAMAM unit exiting Mefalsim. Captain Tal Grushka, a company commander in the 931st Battalion, was wounded during the confrontation and later died of his injuries. By 11:07 a.m., substantial Israeli reinforcements arrived, eliminating many of the remaining terrorists. Airstrikes were also launched and played a critical role in halting the attackers’ momentum.

Operations continued over the following days. On October 9, an attack helicopter struck near a fortified post in Sha’ar HaNegev. On October 10, troops from the 551st Brigade clashed with terrorists hiding in a wooded area. During that engagement, additional soldiers were killed and wounded, though a tank ultimately crushed the remaining gunmen. Later that same day, around 5:00 p.m., more terrorists were killed after opening fire on a passing vehicle.

The IDF's investigation concluded that the military had not prepared for a large-scale invasion like that of October 7. Their planning focused on small, localized infiltrations, leaving them vulnerable to a massive, coordinated attack across dozens of locations.

However, the report praised the heroic response of civilians and elite forces. The actions of the civilian security coordinator and squad in Mefalsim, combined with the rapid response of YAMAM and ISA fighters, prevented the terrorists from abducting more civilians. In the Black Arrow region, the swift intervention of IDF units halted the terrorists’ advance and likely averted further attacks. The successful retaking of Sha’ar HaNegev Junction also allowed Israeli forces to redeploy to other critical fronts, ultimately saving more lives.

Air support was also deemed highly effective, providing critical cover and stopping further infiltration attempts.