Kairos: One Kibbutz Fought Hamas & Won

Hard to understand why so many Kibbutz residents were slaughtered by Hamas without a fight, given they knew nearby fanatics were always capable of atrocity. WSJ reports how one Kibbutz security team DID get their guns in time & “won.”

The Hamas attack was a surprise, nevertheless. According to the newspaper, “a dozen volunteers defended the families of a farming community in southern Israel from Hamas fighters who came to take hostages” and we all know they did a lot more than that in many other areas. The Kibbutz of 1,000 men, women & children in southern Israel were totally exposed & at the Hamas raiders’ mercy when a security chief took quick action with 12 other men he had trained: “Terrorists in the kibbutz! Terrorists in the Kibbutz!” he yelled, “begging his men to hurry” as gunshots erupted in the background. Yet, as the chief took on Hamas alone, precious minutes passed without an organized resistance. That is, until the security team finally joined him with their M-16 rifles. “Outnumbered & fighting alone or in pairs, the men mounted a life-or-death stand, communicating via walkie-talkie & WhatsApp texts to track the enemy.” The idea was to hold out until the Israeli army arrived. But, of course, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

Fortunately, we're told, these well-armed & trained Hamas intruders were either bumblers or were themselves taken by surprise at the resistance. In any case, this instance of Kibbutz bravery suggests the importance of fighting back in such dire circumstances. But, since Israel does not prevent its citizens from carrying, it’s also a wonder so few did or do to help out at the Kairos aka key or opportune moment. A trained security team is great. But, in too many cases, for whatever reason, it wasn’t enough.

Davd Soul