Major R., a Bedouin police officer and a resident of Mak'khul, found himself confronting hostilities just minutes after losing six of his family members and friends to rocket strikes on their community. This extraordinary account unfolds through his exclusive documentation of the events.
"I woke up to several explosions near my home in the Negev on that fateful Saturday morning, realizing that we were in the midst of war," he said. "Despite being on my day off, I immediately contacted my commanding officer and requested to report to the station because there were reports of approaching terrorists.
"As I left my house, I witnessed another rocket strike, which resulted in the tragic loss of my niece and her grandmother. Moments later, I received another call about yet another rocket attack, claiming the lives of four more acquaintances. Our families were being devastated."The officer explained that he swiftly made his way to the station and headed toward the Negev Guard.
'I rushed to provide medical assistance'
"Upon arrival, I was met with a scene of numerous casualties, clearly indicating the presence of terrorists in Sderot, although the extent of the danger was still unknown," he further recalled. "We did everything we could to assist the wounded, and I personally directed many of them to Be'er Sheva. When I received a report about a fellow officer who was gravely injured, I rushed to provide medical assistance because I am also a trained medic."Major R. then left Sderot and headed to Kibbutz Re'im.
"As we approached Re'im, we encountered terrorists who had seized an RPG launcher," he said. "At the entrance, I encountered two fellow officers from the standby unit. Without hesitation, I opened fire, entered the building, and moved from room to room. I was accompanied by soldiers from Negev Military Intelligence."
Inside the kibbutz, the officers encountered a terrorist barricaded in a house.
The battle continued for hours
"I positioned myself at a window while another officer threw two grenades," Major R. noted. "We pressed against the wall to shield ourselves from the explosion. At one point, I leaped into the open area without a helmet or bulletproof vest, presenting an easy target. They hurled a grenade, and I had nowhere to hide. Miraculously, I escaped unharmed. We regrouped and fired at the house. I had only two rounds left, which I quickly expended. While engaged in the intense firefight, I managed to secure additional ammunition."The battle continued for hours, until the arrival of the IDF.
"When the regular army troops arrived, they assumed control, and I was finally able to stand down," Major R. said. "I returned to my station's assigned duties. My superiors had advised me to return midway, but I was determined to remain engaged and provide assistance until the very end. We faced numerous challenges and witnessed the loss of many valiant comrades. My sole purpose was to do everything within my power to help as many people as possible."