An Israel Defense Forces investigation into the military’s handling of the Hamas-led attack on Kibbutz Be’eri and other areas of southern Israel on Oct. 7 found that most of the hostages held in one of the kibbutz’s houses that day were killed by terrorists and not by Israeli tank fire.
Channel 12 published some of the probe’s initial findings on Tuesday, a day after they were presented to Israel Defense Forces Chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.
The probe concluded that 99th Division commander Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram’s order for a tank to fire two rounds at the home of Pessi Cohen was “reasonable in view of the conditions,” and that most of the 14 captives held in the building by Hamas died at their hands.
According to the findings, dozens of Nukhba terrorists arrived at Cohen’s house after the Nova music festival massacre near Kibbutz Re’im. The decision was made to fire two shells—one at the path next to the house and the other at the second floor. Video of the incident was captured by an IDF helicopter.
Israeli forces raided the house, with a battle taking place and the entire building going up in flames. One woman was rescued alive during the operation—Hadas Dagan, 70. Most of the rest of the hostages were killed by Hamas gunfire, according to the probe’s findings.
In addition to Hiram, the assault on Cohen’s home was led by Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, 36, a Yamam squad commander who died of wounds sustained during a hostage rescue operation in Gaza in June. Four captives were brought back to Israel during the mission, which was renamed “Operation Arnon” in his honor.
The probe also examined the decision to hold IDF troops outside of Be’eri while hundreds of terrorists remained inside, as well as residents of kibbutzim being left trapped in their homes or safe rooms while Israeli forces focused on removing bodies.
For example, in Kfar Aza, residents were locked in their homes until the following day.
Be’eri was one of the hardest-hit areas on Oct. 7, with 101 residents murdered by terrorists who infiltrated Israeli territory from Gaza and 29 civilians abducted into the Strip, 11 of whom remain captive.
The official results of the probe will be released Thursday.
