Battle of Sufa

Battle of Sufa
Part of 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Date7 October 2023
Location
Sufa, Israel
Result Israel retakes the outpost[1]
Belligerents
Hamas Israel
Commanders and leaders
Mohammad Abu A'ali (deputy commander, Southern Naval Division) (POW) Israel Major "H."[2]
Israel Lt. Col. Eli Ginzburg (KIA)
Units involved
Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades

 Israel Defense Forces

Casualties and losses
60 killed
26 captured		 At least 2 killed

On October 7, 2023, as part of the Hamas-led Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, militants overran an IDF outpost in the village of Sufa, which borders the Gaza Strip.[3][4]

Initial ground assault

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel at approximately 6 a.m., firing rockets and conducting a major ground and air assault against Israeli targets around the Gaza Strip, engaging civilians and military personnel alike.[5][6][7]

Immediately after the beginning of the ground incursion, militants entered the kibbutz of Sufa, only facing resistance from a group five armed civilians with no support from the military.[3] Later in the morning, Hamas released a video of their militants taking over a military outpost located near Sufa, showing the bodies of Israeli soldiers they had killed.[8] After the outpost was overrun, some of the Golani Brigade soldiers stationed there evaded being captured or killed by hiding inside a bunker on the base.[1]

Retaking of the outpost

Shortly after the initial assault by Hamas, Shayetet 13 was ordered to retake the outpost and work in conjunction with other units in the area to rescue hostages and regain control.[1] Reservists from the elite unit were deployed to the battle from their base in Atlit.[2]

The Israeli naval commandos were inserted by helicopter, and after a skirmish with Hamas militants, successfully regained control of the outpost and took care of the wounded.[9][10]

Shayetet 13 was successful in saving 250 hostages.[2]

Casualties

Over 60 Hamas militants were killed and 26 captured with the Israeli side suffering at least 2 casualties, Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginzburg and First Sergeant Ofek Russo.[11] The IDF also successfully captured the deputy commander of Hamas' southern naval brigade, Muhammad Abu Ghali.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "The Battle for Sufa Outpost: How one of Israel's elite units rescued fellow soldiers from Hamas terrorists". All Israel News. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Zitun, Yoav (12 October 2023). "Watch: Israeli commandos lock horns with Hamas terrorists in daring operation". Ynetnews. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Residents of towns near Gaza Strip beg for help as they fight off terrorists". The Times of Israel. 7 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Why the Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel? All to know". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Reuters denies any suggestion it had prior knowledge of Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel". Reuters. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023. The photographs published by Reuters were taken two hours after Hamas fired rockets across southern Israel and more than 45 minutes after Israel said gunmen had crossed the border.
  6. ^ "Netanyahu says Israel is 'at war' after Hamas launches surprise air and ground attack from Gaza". CNN. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation". AP News. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Videos show new details on how Hamas launched surprise assault on Israel". CNN.com. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Israel war: See the recapture of the Sufa Military Outpost in southern Israel". Washington Examiner. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Israeli Shayetet 13 Special Forces Seize Sufa Military Post Near Gaza Border | Defense News October 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Video: Israel Army's Operation To Rescue Hostages From Hamas Bunker". NDTV.com. Retrieved 9 November 2023.