In the early hours of October 7, Hamas-led militants made their way through the high-tech security fence separating the Gaza Strip from Israel. In a surprise attack, the militants overran several communities and military bases.

Some entered Kibbutz Be'eri, a rural community a few kilometers from the border. The community, badly damaged and destroyed, with over 100 of its 1,100 residents killed and 32 people kidnapped, became a symbol of the horrors of the Hamas attack.

On Thursday, those who survived were presented with the first internal Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation into how the Kibbutz Be'eri attacks unfolded. Most residents have been relocated to a Dead Sea resort and have not returned home.

Reactions to the report were mixed, with many residents angry about their military's failure but also acknowledging that it was taking responsibility.

"We should note that Kibbutz Be'eri did not need the results of the investigation to feel the IDF's failure every minute since 6:29 a.m. on that black Shabbat," a written statement released by Kibbutz Be'eri residents said. "The army's failure has been burned into our bodies and hearts for nine months now."

It is the army's first detailed investigation into one of the many different attacks that took place on October 7 and can be seen as part of the Israeli military trying to rebuild trust among its public. Altogether some 1,200 people were killed that day and 251 people were taken hostage.

"The Israel Defense Forces failed to protect the residents of the Kibbutz," said Daniel Hagari, the IDF's spokesperson. "It is painful and difficult for me to say this: The IDF was supposed to protect the residents of Kibbutz Be'eri but,........

© Deutsche Welle