IDF announces restoration of observation and tech capabilities on Gaza border almost complete

The restoration and repair of the IDF’s observation capabilities and the supporting IT systems at the Gaza border is almost completed, Israel Defense Forces and the Defense Ministry announced Thursday evening.

These capabilities were severely damaged by Hamas terrorists during their surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, especially in the area of the IDF’s Gaza Division, which bore the brunt of the attack and whose headquarters was conquered and damaged by the terrorists.

According to the statement: “The Gaza Division, the Technology and Logistics Division, and the Borders Directorate in the Defense Ministry have been working non-stop since the beginning of the fighting and under fire, to repair and return to service the sites and means that were damaged in the area of the fence.”

“We have all mobilized for the mission and we will operate at all hours of the day and in any area that is required. We will continue to work together in strengthening control of the area,” said Col. Tomer Schreiber, the commander of the IDF Rehabilitation and Maintenance Center.

As part of the operation – “Returning Eyes to Gaza” – the damaged sites were cleared of explosive charges left by the terrorists, and new systems and tools were installed.

The commander of a combat intelligence battalion, Lt.-Col. Ofir Abram, said, “During the last few weeks, we have been restoring the observation array, under threat and during combat in a mission-oriented and determined manner. Our forces work at all times to restore the array, locating the enemy and destroying him.”

The Gaza Division headquarters was the site of a fierce battle on Oct. 7.

The IDF's Muslim Bedouin desert reconnaissance military unit was the main first line of defense, as most combat soldiers were stationed elsewhere or were on leave for the Jewish holiday.

During the battle, one of the unit’s commanders tricked the Hamas terror attackers, who were large in number by comparison, by stripping out of his uniform and shouting to the terrorists in Arabic to come to him, before shooting them from point-blank range.

After a few hours, a team from the Israel Air Force special commando unit Shaldag arrived near the base with a helicopter and went on to reconquer the base over the next several hours.

Toward the end of the battle, an IDF commander ordered an airstrike on one of the buildings where the terrorists had been holed up, eventually killing all of Hamas intruders.

The battle only ended after 6 p.m. that day, after nearly 11 hours.