Title: Standby Squad Foils Terrorist Attack, Saves Lives in Moshav Ein al-Hashour
Subtitle: Civilian protection group’s preparedness prevents tragedy in Gaza Strip settlement
Date: [Insert Date]
In a stroke of fortune, a standby squad formed in the Moshav of Ein al-Hashour in the Gaza Strip played a crucial role in preventing a terrorist attack on the settlement. The group, established around a month ago with approximately 78 members, aimed to combat the rampant vehicle theft problem in the area.
Every night, a team of five squad members patrolled along the fences to ward off potential thieves. However, their efforts took an unexpected turn when a group of Hamas operatives launched an attack.
Professor Yeftah Gefner, a resident of Ein Hashur and faculty member at the Tel Aviv Faculty of Medicine, highlighted the growing concern over vehicle and weapon thefts which led to the establishment of the Ein al-Hashour Police Department. The department now boasts 75 dedicated members who actively conduct nighttime ambushes to enhance the settlement’s sense of security.
Last Saturday, during the start of the summer camp, the settlement’s Rabbi made a spontaneous decision to involve the entire standby squad in patrolling the fences. Within minutes, a number of terrorist vehicles arrived, resulting in a fierce battle between the squad and the attackers. Despite sustaining injuries, the squad managed to eliminate the terrorists and drive them away.
During the attack, Elad Gefner, a member of the standby squad and brother of Yeftah, was seriously wounded and required immediate evacuation to Soroka Hospital. Yeftah took charge of his injured brother’s care, attempting to escort him out of the moshav through the back gate. However, they encountered a substantial force of Hamas terrorists comprising two vans and five motorcycles, totaling 30 individuals. Braving heavy gunfire, Elad endured additional injuries before they managed to escape and secure an ambulance for transport to Soroka.
Yeftah, while fighting off the attackers, tirelessly attended to his brother’s needs until reaching Soroka, where he stabilized Elad’s condition. This heroic action undoubtedly played a significant role in saving his sibling’s life.
The incident not only highlighted the effectiveness of the standby squad’s presence but also shed light on the challenging security situation faced by the surrounding settlements in the Gaza Strip. Professor Gefner emphasized that the recent events underscore the urgent need to eradicate Hamas as both an armed force and a political movement. He warned that failure to do so could result in further encroachment on Israeli territory.
Despite the ordeal, Professor Gefner remains resilient and optimistic about the future. He draws inspiration from past instances when the Jewish people rebuilt their communities after periods of hardship, such as the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Sinai evacuation in 1982. Expressing unwavering faith in the State of Israel, he asserts the obligation to rebuild the surrounding settlements, stating that there is no alternative but to strengthen and prosper.
The bravery displayed by the standby squad and the determination of residents like Professor Yeftah Gefner serve as a poignant reminder of the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Israeli people in the face of adversity.
[Writer’s Name]