A combat memorial ceremony led by the Chief of Staff was held today (Monday) at the Zikim base to mark three years since the October 7th massacre. The memorial ceremony was attended by the General Staff Forum, families of those who fell in the battle at Zikim base, and the wounded from the battle. At 06:29, the General Staff Forum observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the October 7th massacre.
Following this, a tour of the base was held, during which the Forum was presented with the story of the heroic battle that took place at Zikim base, by the Head of the Home Front Command Staff, Brigadier General Elad Edri, who commanded the Extraction Brigade on October 7th.
Subsequently, members of the General Staff Forum participated in a panel moderated by the Head of the Manpower Directorate, Major General Dadi Bar-Kalyifa, under the theme “Between Shattering and Repair.” The panel included Lt. Col. (Res.) Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, father of Noam and Yishai Slotki, who fell together in battle on October 7th; Mazi Eilon, widow of Tal Eilon, who was commander of the Kfar Aza standby unit; Major R, who was a company commander in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade and fought with his soldiers on the morning of October 7th; and hostage survivor Avinatan Or.
From the words of the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir: “We gathered today at the Zikim base – one of the focal points of combat where our commanders and soldiers stood on the front line against the enemy’s attack. We remember the commanders and soldiers who fought here with determination to protect the trainees under their command; the tenacious battles in the communities and on the roads; and all the fallen and murdered whose lives were cut short on that difficult morning, and the hostages who were taken captive.”
“Three years ago, on Simchat Torah 5784, the IDF failed in its mission to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. Hamas terrorists infiltrated communities and bases, massacred, kidnapped, and left behind deep destruction.”
“Three years have passed, and the State of Israel faces a different security reality. Our commanders and fighters, both regular and reserve, have fought in all arenas and achieved tremendous accomplishments. However, even these reality-altering achievements do not erase the failure of October 7th and do not diminish our responsibility for it. This responsibility requires us not only to remember – but also to change. From the bitter failure and negligence, we must lead to revival and strengthening of the nation.”
“Dear bereaved families, as we speak of achievements and the changed reality, we know very well that there is one thing that will not change – the absence of your loved ones. Amidst the negligence, they were the first to understand, to act, to charge heroically, and to save the lives of others. I and the General Staff Forum salute their bravery.”
“We will carry their memory and their life stories, we will continue to march and act in their light, and we will always continue to stand by your side. Our commitment also extends to the hostage survivors and to the wounded, physically and mentally. We will take the voices we heard here today with us to the decision-making table and to our actions, out of the heavy sense of responsibility placed upon us in our mission.”