Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday visited the IDF’s Zikim training base, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, which was attacked by Hamas terrorists on the morning of Oct. 7.
Fourteen people tried to fight off some 50 terrorists attempting to take over three bases in the sector that day. Two were overrun by the terrorists.
The IDF Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade at Zikim was able to hold off the terrorists, but it came at the cost of seven lives—six officers and a new recruit.
They saved 90 new recruits from the terrorist attack.
Netanyahu received an overview of the battle. He heard from Col. Elad Adri, the brigade commander; Lt. Col. Dan Harosh, who commanded the rear guard; and the men and women of the unit.
“I am here at the Zikim Base with the staff instructors and with the recruits who waged a heroic battle here against terrorists who came to murder them—and they did a fantastic job here,” the premier said.
“Do you remember when we were told that we would not break into Gaza? We broke through. We were told that we would not reach the outskirts of Gaza City—we arrived. We were told that we would not enter Shifa [Hospital, where Hamas’s headquarters is located]—we entered.
“And in this spirit, we say a simple thing: There is no place in Gaza that we will not reach. There is no hiding, no shelter, no refuge for the murderers of Hamas. We will arrive and eliminate Hamas and return our abductees; these are two sacred missions.
“Last night, I spoke again with [U.S.] President [Joe] Biden. We will not give up; we will eliminate Hamas and achieve a complete victory, and return our abductees. With your help and God’s help,” Netanyahu said.
