In the video: The motorcycles with which Hamas terrorists arrived at the post in the storm on October 7 / Amir Bohbut
The heroic battle for the Sufa outpost became one of the symbols of the war in Gaza, after its fighters halted Hamas terrorists on Black Saturday in heroic battles at point-blank range. It has also become, to a large extent, a symbol of the story of all the border posts in the Gaza Division, which suffered massive attacks by thousands of terrorists for many hours – attacks during which soldiers fell and were kidnapped into the Gaza Strip, and the outposts themselves suffered heavy damage and extensive destruction of infrastructure.
However, the IDF's Technology and Logistics Directorate (ATL) managed to do the unbelievable – rehabilitating 13 of the 14 outposts that were the site of destruction, shooting, arson and looting during Black Saturday. The efforts were overseen by the head of the department's Department of Operations and Infrastructure, and this week the renovated outposts were officially handed over to the Gaza Division. This is with the exception of the Nahal Oz outpost, which will be demolished after most of its infrastructure was destroyed. In addition to the renovated outposts, additional battalion headquarters posts will be built in the sector, according to construction methods that have not yet been used and new architecture – subject to staff work carried out by the ground forces, in order to implement the lessons of the war.
"We not only rehabilitated, but rebuilt, so that there will be no trace of what happened." Compound at Sufa Post before and after renovation / IDF Spokesperson
Heartbreaking moments when the bereaved parents arrived. Results of the renovation in one of the parts of the Sufa / IDF Spokesperson's post
Beginning in the second week of the war, the officers of the Technology and Logistics Division and the contractors who carried out the rehabilitation and renovation of the infrastructure at the outposts operated under the cover of mortar attacks, incessant rockets towards the home front, and attacks by terrorists who infiltrated into Israeli territory. "They worked at the outposts while the area is still defined as a combat zone, with helmets and personal protection," the division officers said. What made them continue to work was the understanding of the magnitude of the event and its importance to the IDF and our fighters."
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The signs of battle are no longer visible. Room at Sufa Post Before and After the Renovation / IDF Spokesperson
The flagship project of the renovations is located, as mentioned, at the Sufa outpost. At the entrance you can still clearly see the motorcycles and vans on which the terrorists infiltrated into Israel; At the pillbox station, they notice signs of gunfire and black soot, the result of an anti-tank missile hit. "During the renovation work, we had to absorb reservists and regular soldiers in some of the rooms, as well as bereaved parents, who came to see the post or take the soldiers' personal belongings." This occasion, ATL officers say, provided some heartbreaking moments. "We are not only rehabilitating but also rebuilding," they add, "leaving no trace of what happened before. We rebuilt showers and living rooms. Even the dining room, where the soldiers fought and was shot by terrorists and almost 20 grenades, was fully renovated."
And what do the soldiers themselves think? "We are very pleased with the renovations," says a soldier from the desert patrol battalion, "I have known this outpost for years, and they renovated it to a high standard: showers, toilets, bedrooms, dining room. At first it was hard to see the destruction, but now everything is like new."
Hamas vehicles are still here. Terrorists' motorcycles at the entrance to the Sufa / Amir Bohbut post
The dining room was hit by 20 grenades. Heavy damage at Sufa outpost, before renovation / IDF Spokesperson
ATL officers, who accompanied the renovation of the Sufa outpost, said they were shocked to discover the extent of the weapons that hit the outposts. "This is an unreasonable figure. On some floors, the engineering structure withstood their attacks, while others did not. One of the outposts withstood the attack, and was nicknamed 'Fortress Post' by us. We are learning lessons from this, and we will implement them in the new outposts that will be built later, which will have significant improvements in the areas of escape routes, command and control, defense components, obstacles and more. The IDF's entire concept of defense on the Gaza border will change."
Lavala! It was learned that according to the work of the headquarters, led by Brig. Gen. (res.) Oren Avman, the IDF will invest in building additional outposts for brigades and battalions that will implement new combat and defense methods against air and ground attacks.
Some of the places withstood the attack, and the IDF will try to learn lessons from this. Compound at Sufa Post / IDF Spokesperson's Office
On October 7, a storm post sustained enormous heavy damage. The post was besieged by more than 70 Hamas terrorists who blew up the perimeter fence and attacked the forces defending the area. The terrorists encountered a stubborn force of the Nahal Patrol and the 50th Battalion, which were deployed at the entrance to and inside the outpost. As part of the battles against the dozens of terrorists, the deputy commander of the Caracal Battalion who was ambushed was killed, six fighters of the Nahal Patrol, and four fighters of the 50th Battalion manning the outpost. Forces from the Caracal Battalion, commanded by Lt. Col. Or Ben Yehuda, as well as a tank company, IDF combat helicopters and fighters from Shayetet 13, assisted in eliminating the terrorists and mopping up the outpost, which suffered infiltrations and severe damage to infrastructure, which the terrorists blew up or set on fire. In the battles, IDF forces eliminated more than 50 terrorists. Silent evidence of the attack on the outpost are the terrorists' motorcycles at the entrance, and the vans they were riding in before they were run over by tanks of the Caracal Battalion.
- More on the subject:
- Gaza War
- Iron Sword War
- Kibbutz Sufa