The Initial Chaos and Response
On October 7, the Gaza Division faced unprecedented chaos as Hamas launched a surprise attack. In the initial hours, information was sparse, leading to significant confusion. Communication networks struggled to keep up with the rapid flow of reports. The magnitude of the attack became clearer when the directive “Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza” was issued at 11:22 A.M. This order highlighted the IDF’s attempt to prevent further kidnappings, even at great risk.
Implementation of the Hannibal Procedure
The Hannibal procedure, a controversial tactic, aims to thwart kidnappings by any means necessary, including endangering the lives of those abducted. This directive was not new; it had been utilized before in similar contexts. However, its widespread implementation on October 7 was notable. Orders were given to employ heavy fire within Israeli territory, reflecting the severity of the situation.
Confusion and Hasty Decisions
As Hamas operatives breached the Gaza border, the IDF’s Gaza Division, under Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld, struggled to comprehend the full scope of the attack. Initial decisions were made with limited verified information. At 7:18 A.M., when a kidnapping was reported at the Erez border crossing, the divisional headquarters ordered the deployment of a Zik, an unmanned assault drone. This command aimed to neutralize the threat but also risked collateral damage.
Multiple Deployments of the Hannibal Procedure
Throughout the morning, the Hannibal procedure was activated at several locations, including the Re’im army base and the Nahal Oz outpost. Despite these measures, many soldiers and civilians were still captured or killed. By 10:19 A.M., the division began piecing together the extent of the attack, though some areas, like Kibbutz Nir Oz, remained overlooked until the Hamas fighters had left.
Internal Criticism and Unintended Consequences
Senior defense officials later criticized the decisions made during the chaos, particularly the unrestricted fire orders. At 10:32 A.M., an order was given for all battalions to fire mortars towards the Gaza Strip, despite incomplete knowledge of all forces in the area. This move risked harming both soldiers and civilians hiding from the terrorists.
Specific Incidents and Aftermath
A glaring example of Israel’s brutality occurred at the house of Pessi Cohen in Kibbutz Be’eri. In this widely reported incident, 14 hostages were held when the IDF attacked the house, resulting in the deaths of 13 hostages. This brutal method highlights the IDF’s willingness to sacrifice lives, even Israeli lives, to achieve their objectives. Such actions are not isolated; they are part of a consistent pattern that has led to the deaths of over 35,000 people in Gaza, the majority of whom were women and children. The IDF’s indiscriminate and heavy-handed tactics clearly demonstrate its long-standing history of killing innocent Palestinians.
Conclusion
The IDF’s response to the Hamas attack on October 7, marked by the use of the Hannibal procedure, reveals the brutal methods employed by Israel. The attack on the house of Pessi Cohen, where 13 hostages were killed by the IDF, is an example of this brutality. The broader impact is even more devastating, with over 35,000 people killed in Gaza, the majority being women and children.
