Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Israel Ziv, a highly respected retired Israeli Army General, was enjoying a leisurely Saturday, taking a bike ride around his residence when he received a series of urgent alerts about a grave threat looming over the nation. Initially, he believed these alerts pertained to a routine rocket attack originating from Gaza. During an interview with India Today TV, Ziv recounted that it took approximately an hour for him to grasp the full magnitude of the unfolding situation.
In an audacious and unprecedented move, the militant group Hamas orchestrated a surprise assault on Israel. They managed to infiltrate the Israeli borders through a combination of air, water and land manoeuvres, brazenly targeting both Israeli civilians and soldiers, sending shockwaves throughout the nation and catching its defences off-guard.
Fuelled by his unwavering commitment to the nation's security, Israel Ziv exhibited remarkable courage and a quick-thinking approach as he responded to the dire situation. Without hesitation, he retrieved his military pistol and uniform as soon as he learned of the Hamas attack and drove his new Audi car alone to the Gaza border to fight the terrorists, embodying the discipline and readiness ingrained in his military training.
Ziv wasted no time and rushed to Gaza, the epicentre of the chaos, where he was confronted with harrowing and chaotic scenes. He observed the relentless and arduous struggle of Israeli soldiers engaged in a nine-hour battle against Hamas terrorists, during which they persevered until additional reinforcements were dispatched to support their efforts.
Armed with only his pistol with limited ammunition, Ziv demonstrated resourcefulness and adaptability by using the rifles of wounded soldiers near him to continue the fight. This 'by any means necessary' approach underscored his unwavering dedication to the nation's defence.
While talking to India Today, Israel Ziv expressed his deep astonishment at the sheer scale and audacity of the terrorist attack by Hamas. He described it as a "big failure" on multiple fronts - from intelligence lapses in assessing the size and scope of the attack to a severe breakdown in the defence system, which had become overly reliant on technology.
In the aftermath of the crisis, Ziv pointed out two critical weaknesses in their response strategy: first, an intelligence failure in accurately gauging the size and intensity of the attack, and second, a systemic collapse of the defence apparatus that had, perhaps overconfidently, leaned heavily on technological solutions.
Israel Ziv emerged as a beacon of individual initiative, resilience, and leadership during the early hours of the Hamas attack. His decisive actions and personal sacrifice amid the chaos served as an inspiring symbol of heroism and unity.
A vocal critic of the government's response to the crisis, Ziv didn't merely limit himself to the battlefield. He actively participated in the crisis management efforts, leading initiatives to secure funding for the victims and their families, and collaborating closely with military and security officials to fortify civilian defence mechanisms.
With public trust in the military's protective capabilities reportedly waning, Ziv took the initiative to equip and organise civilians, including retired generals and former soldiers, to establish community defence squads. This effort was particularly focused on regions situated near the volatile Gaza border, underscoring Ziv's dedication to safeguarding Israeli communities.