IDF Colonel Reveals Hamas Attack Truth: 6,000 Terrorists Invaded Israel

Estimated read time: 12 minutes

The Shocking Scale of October 7th Attack

Lieutenant Colonel Keith Isaacson, head of security for 32 kibbutzim surrounding Gaza, revealed the true magnitude of the October 7th attack that most people don’t understand. Speaking with Brandon Tatum, Isaacson explained he oversees security for 32 communities out of 66 surrounding Gaza Strip, with populations between 500 and 1,300 people each.

When asked about the attack, Isaacson emphasized the unprecedented scale: “Over 6,000 terrorists breached the Gaza border.” This number starkly contrasts with public perception. Brandon Tatum noted that many people thought “it was like 60 or 70 of them and then they did that much devastation.”

The IDF’s investigation revealed the numbers were even higher than initially thought. Isaacson explained: “We thought at the beginning was just over 3,000, but at the end we realized around six to six and a half thousand.” The coordinated assault resulted in approximately 1,600 terrorists killed, 400 taken into captivity, and 4,000 retreating back to Gaza with over 250 hostages.

How Israel’s Security Was Breached

Addressing conspiracy theories about the attack, Isaacson firmly rejected claims that Israeli leadership knew in advance. He explained that Israel faces threats from multiple fronts simultaneously – Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria, and recently Yemen.

“I think in the last couple of years we underestimated our enemy in Gaza and we didn’t put enough effort in that,” Isaacson admitted. “Also in intelligence, also in getting more soldiers, units to guard the border.”

Hamas strategically chose their timing. Isaacson revealed: “They attacked on a Saturday. They attacked not only on a Saturday, on a holiday that actually was a Saturday. And they took us off guard.” The attack’s sophistication showed extensive planning – Hamas “did their homework” while Israel admittedly “didn’t do our homework.”

The colonel strongly refuted conspiracy theories about Netanyahu knowing in advance: “I can’t believe and I don’t believe and I don’t want to believe someone really knew what was going to happen. Not in the military and not in the government.”

The Truth About Who Committed Atrocities

One of the most disturbing revelations from Isaacson concerned who actually committed the worst atrocities. Contrary to assumptions about trained Hamas fighters being responsible, he stated: “The worst atrocities done to the people living in the communities were done not by the Hamas, the elite units of the Hamas, and not by the Islamic Jihad, were done by the civilians.”

He described waves of attackers – first military units, then civilians who “came in, no weapons, but they took whatever they had in their hands, slaughtered, amputated, raped and killed.” The Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters filmed everything, proud of their actions, creating extensive footage that Israel possesses but hasn’t fully released.

Isaacson’s mayor offered a chilling perspective on the attackers: “No, Keith, they are human beings. They’re not animals and monsters. They are human beings. That’s even worse that human beings have learned to hate us so much to do what they did.”

A Father’s Impossible Choice During Terror

Isaacson shared his personal ordeal during the attack. His daughter called him as bombardment started, hearing shooting near her caravan. He directed her to run to her late grandmother’s house with a shelter, then had to continue his security duties while she remained trapped for ten hours.

His family members became defenders that day. His son took Isaacson’s pistol and went to defend communities. His brother fought at a junction leading to seven communities for five hours, killing every terrorist who tried to penetrate. Remarkably, an Arab Muslim who had served in the IDF joined his brother in defending the junction.

Isaacson knew his daughter would survive because of his brother and son’s positions, though “she didn’t feel that because she just heard all the shooting.” Near her location, five of his officers were killed and two injured, but no civilians died. After ten hours, his brother finally reached her and brought her to safety.

IDF’s Unprecedented Warning System

Addressing criticism of Israel’s military response, Isaacson highlighted the IDF’s extraordinary measures to avoid civilian casualties, even when targeting known terrorist buildings. “We give them, we send them warning, we tell them to go out, they go out and then we bomb.”

He posed a powerful question: “Which country in the world tells where they’re going to attack, where they’re going to attack, when they’re going to attack and get out? I don’t know.” Brandon Tatum confirmed he knew of no other country that does this.

Isaacson explained the personal toll this ethical stance takes on soldiers: “I don’t want to go to sleep knowing I killed a 12 year old Palestinian boy. Knowing that in 5 years time that 12 year old is going to be one of the worst terrorists that’s going to be affecting my country. But still I will not kill him.”

The viral videos of buildings being destroyed actually prove Israel’s warning system works. As Tatum observed, “The fact that you have the ability to get a camera and set it up with anticipation that that building would be hit specifically, that tells you that you had a lot of forewarning.”

Hamas Leader Admits: “We Are the Community”

Isaacson made a controversial but experience-based observation about Gaza’s population: “At the end of the day, they’re all Hamas, they’re all Islamic Jihad. It’s an idea.” He explained that hatred is taught from kindergarten and preschool, contrasting it with Israeli education which doesn’t teach hatred of neighbors or other religions.

Brandon Tatum confirmed this assessment by referencing a recent interview with a Hamas leader who explicitly stated: “Hamas is the community. We are Hamas.” The leader said there’s “no separation between the Gazans and Hamas. They are part of society.”

Despite this reality, Isaacson emphasized the solution remains simple: “Put down your weapons, bring us back the hostages. If you want to live your own lives, a good life, live it. No one’s stopping you.”

Key Takeaways / FAQ

Q: How many terrorists actually attacked Israel on October 7th?

A: According to Lt. Col. Isaacson, approximately 6,000 to 6,500 terrorists breached the Gaza border, far more than the dozens or hundreds many people assume.

Q: Did Israeli leadership know about the attack in advance?

A: Isaacson firmly states he doesn’t believe anyone in the military or government knew what was going to happen. Israel was caught off guard due to focus on other threats and underestimating Gaza.

Q: Does the IDF really warn civilians before bombing buildings?

A: Yes, Isaacson confirms Israel sends warnings telling civilians to evacuate before bombing terrorist targets, something no other country in the world does during warfare.

Final Thoughts

Lieutenant Colonel Keith Isaacson’s firsthand account reveals the true scale and horror of October 7th while highlighting the IDF’s unprecedented efforts to minimize civilian casualties even while fighting an enemy that deliberately targets women and children. His testimony, backed by Brandon Tatum’s pointed questions, exposes both the brutal reality of Hamas’s attack and the challenges Israel faces in defending itself while maintaining moral standards in warfare.

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