IDF investigation blames unprepared defenses for Paga outpost fall and Be’eri breach
An IDF probe says the Paga outpost’s collapse on Oct. 7 allowed Hamas fighters to reach Kibbutz Be’eri, resulting in deaths and hostages.
According to an IDF investigation released Thursday, the loss of the Paga military outpost near Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7 opened a corridor for Hamas terrorists to infiltrate the community, where civilians and security personnel were killed or taken hostage. The report states that the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, supported by a tank platoon from the 7th Armored Brigade, lacked adequate training, equipment, and defensive infrastructure for a coordinated, large-scale attack.
Between 60 and 80 Hamas fighters attacked in several waves, exploiting border breaches and overwhelming the outpost’s defenses, which resulted in 18 soldiers dead, 22 wounded, and two bodies taken to Gaza. Communication gaps left air support ineffective, and the first rescue forces did not reach the site until after 4 p.m., by which time the militants had withdrawn. While the probe criticizes systemic failures, it also notes acts of heroism by junior commanders and soldiers who fought under extreme conditions.
Why it matters
The findings highlight critical gaps in Israel's border defense that allowed a major terrorist incursion, informing future security reforms.
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