On the 29th of April, our community gathered for a deeply moving Yom Ha’Zikaron ceremony, honouring the brave Israeli heroes who have given their lives in defence of the nation as well as those lost to terror.
Poignant musical tributes and candle lightings stirred hearts and set a reflective tone.
In a living link to Israel’s founding generation, youth group members stood shoulder to shoulder with 100-year old Sam Zinn – a former Mahal volunteer.
A highlight of the event was a powerful conversation between our chairman, David Cohen, and special guest Tal-Sara Biton who was part of the historical all-female IDF tank crew that fought and saved countless lives on October 7th. Every word of her riveting account held everyone in awe.
‘We Just Did What We Had To Do’
On October 7, 2023, an all-female Israeli tank crew from the Caracal Battalion made history by engaging in a non-stop 17-hour battle against Hamas terrorists during their surprise attack on southern Israel. This marked the first time in modern military history that an all-female armoured unit participated in active combat.
Tal-Sara and her crew, stationed at the Nitzana base near the Egyptian border, were awakened at 6:30 a.m. and quickly mobilised to respond to the attack. Not knowing what to expect, they drove their tanks and an armoured Humvee at high speeds on civilian roads to reach the affected areas.
Upon arrival, the crews immediately engaged in combat with Hamas terrorists in and around Kibbutzim Holit and Sufa. They utilised their tank and an armoured personnel carrier to confront the attackers, reportedly killing around 50 terrorists and preventing further incursions.
Tal-Sara recounted the intensity of the battle, including moments where they had to improvise due to lack of specific training. Despite the chaos, they remained focused on their mission to defend Israeli civilians.
At one point, they drove straight toward gunmen and into live fire to protect civilians and soldiers still trapped in the area.
Their actions on October 7 were not only heroic but also historic – marking the first time an all-female tank unit fought in active battle. Their bravery is also challenging how people in and outside the military view women on the front lines. ●
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