Kan 7.10.360 | The story of Kibbutz Reim on October 7

Members of the kibbutz wake up on Saturday morning to the sounds of explosions and sirens and run to the safe room

Gunfire noises from light weapons begin to be heard outside the kibbutz. The Ravshatz (Military Ongoing Security Coordinator), Harel Oren, calls the members of the security squad and they decide to meet in the western part of the kibbutz, which overlooks the intersection of roads 232 and 234.

Members of the security squad - five at this point - see armed terrorists storming route 232 with vans and motorcycles across the fence. They see mortar shells and rockets falling on the nearby Reim base and hear the sounds of gunfire from nearby kibbutzim. At the same time, terrorists ride past them with vans and do not enter the kibbutz. The members of the security squad split into pairs and begin to safeguard the kibbutz.

The Nova party was held that morning with about 3,500 guests in the Reim parking lot next to the kibbutz. In those minutes, Hamas terrorists invade the party and begin massacring the participants. A former kibbutz resident, soldier Guy Simhi, flees to the kibbutz along with 30 participants and hides them in the safe rooms in the kibbutz.

The Ravhshatz, Harel Oren, picks up the sixth member of the security squad, Omri Ben Yishai. They hear an explosion from the south gate and go out on foot to scan the place. A few minutes later, they spot the terrorists, shoot at them and kill at least one. Starting at 07:55 and for about half an hour, the terrorists break into the kibbutz from three points: vans full of grenades and RPGs enter from the back gate, and another about 15 terrorists enter on foot. Some terrorists remain to guard the back gate. Six other vans break through the front gate and shoot the security forces man who was on his way to the Reim base. The terrorists also decommissioned the eastern gate, which faces toward the kibbutz orchard. Dozens more terrorists are settling on route 234 and the western section of the kibbutz fence, some entering into the western neighborhoods and some staying to control the intersection. The security squad - whose number of members reaches ten during the day - conducts gunfights against the terrorists to repel and keep them away from residents' homes.

While residents hide in the safe room, squads of armed terrorists circulate the kibbutz, wreaking havoc. They set fire to houses, cars, trees and everything possible. They break into homes and attack residents. That morning, seven people are killed in the kibbutz and many are wounded.

A squad of kidnappers takes the 18-year-old Liam Or from the kibbutz, abducted from his bed, and four other Thai workers who were abducted from their quarters. The latter shout at the terrorists that they are Thai, but the terrorists do not listen and lead them towards Gaza.

Four policemen arrive at the kibbutz and together with the members of the security squad they wage a gun battle with the terrorists. Members of the security squad testify that it was a significant moment, in which they managed to repel a squad of terrorists away from residents' homes.

More security forces are joining the fighting for the kibbutz. In battles that continue into the night, IDF fighters, police officers and members of the security squad are fighting against more than 50 armed terrorists. On this day, five policemen and six fighters are killed in the battle defending Reim.

The security forces rescued those who fled the party from the safe rooms. Members of the security squad take them for treatment at the kibbutz clinic. Earlier, armed soldier Hadar Ron and Guy Simhi, who have no weapon, managed to kill two terrorists who infiltrated the house where the safe room is located. A battle ensues, at the end of which Guy is killed by a grenade thrown in his direction.

Members of the security squad establish a command center at the clinic. Those who need medical aid come to the scene, and there the information about the location of terrorists also arrives.

Throughout the day, some terrorists barricade themselves in a residence and establish a headquarters in it from which they conduct the battle. They shoot at the forces approaching the house and throw grenades at them. The house is adjacent to a residence in the basement, where one of the residents hides. Security forces arrive with a tank and a bulldozer and, in the evening, manage to dismantle the house without harming the resident, who is rescued safely.

Two terrorists flee the neighborhood of the young people and arrive at the home of a member of the security squad who is with his family in the safe room. Members of the security squad arrive at the scene along with security forces. They throw grenades into the house and kill the terrorists. The house is destroyed but family members leave the place safely.