Zikim attack

For the attack in 2014, see 2014 Zikim attack.

Zikim attack
Part of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel
Date7 October 2023
Location
Near Zikim, Southern District, Israel
31°36′28″N 34°31′18″E / 31.60778°N 34.52167°E / 31.60778; 34.52167
Result Hamas fails to capture the Zikim training base and Zikim kibbutz[1][2]
Belligerents
Hamas  Israel
Commanders and leaders
Hamas Ahmed Musa Israel Lt. Col. Shay
Israel Capt. Adir Abudi †
Israel First Lt. Or Moses †
Col. Eitan Paz (Ashdod naval base commander)
Units involved

Al-Qassam Brigades

  • Qassam naval commandos[a]

Israel Israeli Defence Forces
On the coast:
 Israeli Navy

51st Battalion, Golani Brigade[6][7]

At training base:
Officer staff of the Tavor company, Home Front search and rescue brigade[8]

At Yiftach:
77th Battalion, 7th Brigade[7]

Outside kibbutz:
Civilian security team
Strength
30–35 cross Israeli maritime border on boats,[6][9] 11 of whom land on beach[6][10]
Dozens cross into Israel by land[7]

At training base:
14 soldiers in combat[8]
90 recruits and 30 administrative staff sheltering in place[8]

At Yiftach: 5 soldiers in combat[7]
Majority of garrison sheltering in place[7]

On coast: 4 soldiers[7]
Casualties and losses
At sea: 2–3 boats sunk[6][9][10]
At training base: 13–15 killed[11]
At Yiftach: Multiple killed[7]
On coast: 2–3 killed
Outside kibbutz: Multiple killed[12]		 At training base:
7 killed[8]
7 wounded[8]
At Yiftach:
7 killed[7]
Multiple wounded[7]
On coast:
19 civilians killed
1 soldier killed[6][7]
Outside kibbutz:
2 wounded[12]
Zikim is located in Ashkelon region of Israel
Zikim
Zikim
class=notpageimage|
Site of the attack in Israel

As part of the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, a military engagement took place near Zikim, Israel between Hamas militants and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). According to Haaretz, Hamas's goal was to capture Zikim's military training base. The Israeli navy prevented most Hamas militants from landing on the beach, although an estimated 11 militants landed from a vessel that went through. Fighting took place outside Zikim, at three military bases, and on the adjacent coastline. The garrison of the training base held out, but the other two bases were overrun, and a civilian security team prevented an incursion into the kibbutz. An estimated 19 civilian beachgoers were killed.

  1. ^ Glazer, Hilo (20 October 2023). "A Handful of Israeli Officers Saved 90 New Recruits From Hamas Terrorists. They Paid With Their Lives". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
    • "The terrorists had a clear goal: to capture the base."
    • "The Zikim base did not fall but seven of its fighters did, while defending it."
  2. ^ "Netanyahu visits Zikim Base, site of 'heroic battle' on Oct. 7". Jewish News Syndicate. 2023-11-15. Archived from the original on 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  3. ^ "This is How Al-Qassam's Navel Units Stormed Zakim's Fortified Military Base – VIDEO". The Palestine Chronicle. 9 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023.
  4. ^ "kumanduz alqasaam albahriu yaqtahimun qaeidat zikim aleaskaria" كوماندوز القسام البحري يقتحمون قاعدة زيكيم العسكرية [Watch.. Qassam naval commandos storm Zikim military base]. aljazeera.net. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b "New footage shows harbor security unit foiling Hamas naval infiltration on October 7". The Times of Israel. 14 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e Amir Bohbot (2023-11-27). "המודיעין החסר, הפשיטה על חוף זיקים והחילוץ שהתעכב: כך נכשל חיל הים ב-7 באוקטובר" (in Hebrew). Walla! News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j ""זו הסיבה שאף אחד לא יודע מה קרה בזיקים: האזרחים מתים והחיילים לא מדברים"" (in Hebrew). 2023-11-16. Archived from the original on 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  8. ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference haaretz was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bohbot1010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Bob, Yonah Jeremy (2023-11-07). "'Post' observes IDF naval bombardment of Hamas in Gaza City". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 2024-01-01. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ^ Sheridan, Danielle (2023-10-12). "Israeli commander raced to military base to defend it from 'surprise' Hamas attack". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2023-12-31. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  12. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference inn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).