"We Have Surprises for the Enemy, Waiting for Them to Approach the Fence"

Two and a half weeks after the Hamas attack, the IDF has completed the task of purging the southern settlements of militants. The forces are ready for a ground entry into the Gaza Strip, waiting for orders from the political leadership.

Most areas near the border are defined as closed military zones, and many southern roads are intermittently blocked to allow security forces to move freely for various operational missions.

Residents have been evacuated to guest houses across the country, and except for military vehicles on the roads, there is hardly a soul to be seen. In recent days, bus stops have filled with families with suitcases, leaving their homes to head to guest houses across the country. It is quiet here now. A war atmosphere is palpable in the air.

We went to check what the south looks like in the third week of the war. We meet Captain (Res.) Evyatar, a company commander in Brigade 12 of the Givati, married and father of two.

Have you slept lately?

“Not much,” Evyatar answers with a smile, “but we manage.”

Evyatar moves on to explain the operational activities in recent days: “We are busy with a lot of training these days. In the first days of the fighting, we were at the Be'eri junction, then Ofakim, and others. Now we are busy being on alert for the war. More training and more drills. That is the main goal we are preparing for.”

You can't drive everywhere here, right?

“Yes. There are routes that are threatened. The feeling here is one of war, even if there aren’t alarms all the time. But we are very much on high alert, ready.”

Soldiers in the Villages

The next question is not exactly meant for you, but still: As someone present here, how do you protect the residents’ homes, which are left empty, from theft?

"I haven't heard of any thefts. The feeling is one of mutual responsibility,” Evyatar responds and continues: “In the settlements themselves, there are fighters safeguarding the villages, and at the junctions, you'll meet security forces. But the camaraderie and mutual responsibility here are immense and absolute.”

And regarding the border itself, how do you fortify the forces along it?

“I can't detail too much. We are properly prepared, and have surprises for the enemy. Waiting for someone to just try to enter. We attack them 24/7, and the number of soldiers here is immense. We hold the border tightly.”

And in a sudden shift, what moment will you never forget from this war?

“I’ll tell you about home. The eldest celebrated his third birthday a few days ago, and the little one celebrated her first birthday two weeks ago. I didn’t go to see them,” says Evyatar with a slight sadness in his voice. But he immediately strengthens and says: “The support from the home front is significant. The strength we receive from home is great and allows us to continue.”

As a commander, how’s the morale of the fighters?

“People from all over the world have come and joined the effort. From all spectra of Israeli society, they come and join the war. Everyone left everything and came here. They have patience, however long it takes, just to finish this mission.”

The War of Beginnings

Why exactly is the area a closed military zone?

“The area is a combat zone. The vast majority of civilians have already been evacuated. Our forces are here and training. The enemy always tries to do things – most of which we thwart. If you don’t need to be here, you aren’t here. It’s all to allow the army to deploy all its forces. Once the area is closed, we can conduct ongoing war missions and not be distracted by other things.”

And from here, what message do you have for the readers?

“We are in a historical period, and beyond the fact that we are in a ‘time of trouble for Jacob from which we will be saved,’ with Hashem's help, the war started on Shabbat Bereshit, and I think it’s something important to remember. We are changing the order of creation. This war is not the Gaza war; it’s the War of Beginnings. We are fighting for the existence of the Jewish people on earth. For human goodness. It’s a war between the sons of light and the sons of darkness,” says Evyatar with burning faith, “just as in the creation of the world there was chaos, here too. We will defeat this darkness."

“I may not keep up with the news enough, but I saw that there are hundreds of Orthodox Jews enlisting in the effort across all fronts, including voluntary initiatives and more. I’m sure that the Jewish people will emerge stronger from this war, together we will defeat the enemy that rises to destroy us,” Evyatar concludes our conversation.

Be strong and courageous – and win!