The bloody lessons of the 7/10 commanders on the way to the next battle: "We will make sure we are not surprised again"

Four company commanders who fought on October 7, 2023, in Be'eri, Kissufim, and Nir Oz share in an interview with ynet the lessons they took from the battles. The officers, now commanders in the Givati, Nahal, Paratroopers, and squad commanders course, describe how they rescued civilians under fire, lost friends, and were wounded. They emphasize the responsibility to educate the next generation of fighters who did not experience the attack, and the need for a change in operational culture and constant readiness.

Four IDF company commanders who fought on October 7, 2023, in Be'eri, Kissufim, Nir Oz, and the Re'im junction share in a wide-ranging interview with ynet the lessons they took from the battles and how they are shaping the next generation of fighters. The officers, now commanders in the Givati training base, the Nahal training base, the Paratroopers track, and the squad commanders course, describe how they jumped from the officers' school and Shabbat vacations straight into the inferno, rescued families under fire, and lost friends. Captain N. was seriously wounded by friendly fire a week after the start of the ground maneuver in Gaza, and underwent two months of rehabilitation before returning to his company. The commanders emphasize that the new generation of soldiers did not experience October 7, and their role is to make them imagine the reality. Captain A. states that "we must not forget that we did not fulfill the mission," and Captain Y. from the Nahal training base says that in the mission of protecting civilians "we failed." The commanders agree that the operational experience etched in blood will bring the next fighter more prepared.

The bloody lessons of the 7/10 commanders on the way to the next battle: "We will make sure we are not surprised again"