IDF Probe: 45 Killed in Hamas Attack on Kissufim, Air Force Criticized

An IDF investigation into the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on the Kissufim army base and nearby kibbutz revealed that 45 people, mostly Israelis, including some Thai workers, were killed, with fighting and ambushes by Hamas terrorists continuing for days after the initial assault.

The probe, released Wednesday, detailed how approximately 150 Hamas Nukhba fighters from two battalions stormed the area, killing 27 soldiers, 10 kibbutz civilians, six Thai workers, and one local security volunteer. One Israeli, Tom Godu, was mistakenly killed by IDF forces who mistook him for a Hamas terrorist.

The report highlighted that some civilians were deceived and murdered by Hamas fighters posing as IDF personnel. Despite an initial stand by the 51st Battalion at the Kissufim base, around 40 attackers penetrated the base and 60 infiltrated the kibbutz, home to about 300 residents before the attack.

The IDF killed approximately 25 Hamas fighters at the base, 30 at the kibbutz, and 50 in the surrounding area, with around 50 others escaping to Gaza. One Israeli, Shlomo Mantzur, was kidnapped and killed in Gaza; his body was returned in February 2025 during a ceasefire.

Unlike other October 7 battles, Hamas fighters remained hidden in Kissufim, launching ambushes on IDF forces at the base around 3:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. that day, and at the kibbutz as late as October 12.

Reinforcements, including the Egoz unit, arrived at the base around 1:45 p.m., while the 450th Battalion reached the kibbutz by 1:06 p.m., yet faced repeated attacks from concealed militants. The probe noted 70 Israelis were wounded in the clashes.

IDF forces who fought at Kibbutz Kissufim (Photo: IDF)

IDF forces who fought at Kissufim (Photo: IDF)

The Israeli Air Force faced sharp criticism for its delayed response. Attack helicopters arrived at 11:15 a.m., not during the initial assault but when Hamas fighters were attempting to retreat to Gaza. They conducted five strikes before moving to other missions. At noon, a drone fired six munitions, reportedly killing about 20 militants.

A critical failure identified was the IDF’s lack of training for combat in civilian areas within Israel, as soldiers were primarily prepared for operations in Gaza. Multiple friendly-fire incidents occurred, including the killing of Godu, when soldiers mistook Arabic speech from a nearby residence for a threat.

In another case, IDF forces fired on civilians hiding in a house, who narrowly escaped. Despite these errors, no disciplinary actions were taken, with the IDF citing the complexity of the situation. The report also pointed to the absence of police YAMAM units, better equipped for such scenarios, as a critical gap.