Security
IDF Inquiry into Paga Outpost: 18 Soldiers Killed, Army Failed at Defense Mission
The IDF released today its inquiry into the battle at Paga outpost, according to which the army failed in its defense mission and did not prevent terrorists from infiltrating kibbutz Beeri and seizing the outpost. Between 60 and 80 terrorists infiltrated the outpost, which was manned by soldiers of a company from Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade, and in battles in the area 18 soldiers were killed and 22 wounded. According to the inquiry, the soldiers and commanders were not properly prepared for their mission.
· Source: N12. Photo as published in the article
A military inquiry released by the IDF determined that the army failed in its defense mission in the battle over Paga outpost on October 7, in which 18 soldiers were killed and 22 wounded after between 60 and 80 terrorists infiltrated the outpost.
The operational inquiry, conducted under the direction of Brigadier General Uri Ron and released today (Thursday) to the public, determined that the IDF did not prevent the fall of areas in its sector and the infiltration of terrorists into kibbutz Beeri and the seizure of Paga outpost, known as Magen Beeri. According to the inquiry, Paga outpost was manned in the morning of October 7 by soldiers of a company from Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade, which lost dozens of its soldiers that day in battles at outposts and settlements in the Gaza border region.
At 06:29 Hamas opened heavy fire, and dozens of terrorists breached the barrier at multiple entry routes. The first nine terrorists entered the outpost at 06:55 through the Harekem barrier, and in the first barrage three soldiers of the mortar squad were killed, and subsequently more soldiers fell in battle, including acting outpost commander Deputy Decal Suisa. According to the inquiry, at 13:13 five soldiers went out to assault the terrorists outside and all were killed in the assaults. Rescue forces arrived at the outpost only at 16:20.
Parallel to the fighting at the outpost, a tank commanded by First Sergeant Shy Levinson eliminated ten terrorists at 06:45, and at 06:56 the tank was hit by an anti-tank missile. Levinson was killed in the explosion and his body was abducted to Gaza, but according to the inquiry was brought back to Israel in June 2025 in a special IDF and Shin Bet operation. Tank driver Ido Somech continued driving to the area of the Nova party, where he served as a barrier to protect police and revelers at the location.
The inquiry team determined that the battle's outcome represents a systemic failure in readiness for a broad surprise attack, and that the company fighting team from Battalion 13 of the Golani Brigade was not prepared for the mission in terms of equipment, combat position readiness and outpost infrastructure. According to the inquiry, neutralization of the divisional force multipliers by the enemy enabled infiltration into the outpost and kibbutz Beeri, air force strikes were not effective enough due to gaps in coordination with ground forces, and the fall of senior commanders in the field affected decision-making and battle management.
