IDF Probe Finds Paga Outpost ('Magen Be'eri') Was Unprepared for October 7, Opening Door to Be'eri Massacre

The IDF released a probe on Thursday, September 24, 2026 finding that the Paga Outpost — officially named 'Magen Be'eri' ('Defender of Be'eri') — failed in its mission to defend the area and did not prevent Hamas from overrunning it on October 7, 2023, opening the way for the massacre at neighboring Kibbutz Be'eri. The probe found the combat team posted there had never drilled for a large-scale, simultaneous border infiltration, and cited seven systemic failures: hundreds of terrorists infiltrating through multiple routes overwhelmed defenders; soldiers were focused on minor perimeter disturbances rather than large-scale attack scenarios; the unit lacked sufficient preparedness despite adequate infrastructure; terrorist infiltration neutralized defensive and intelligence systems; enemy forces destroyed critical sector defenses; Israeli Air Force strikes were largely ineffective due to coordination gaps with ground forces; and commander casualties during the battle compromised decision-making. In total, 22 soldiers including officers were killed and 18 wounded in action at the outpost, and two soldiers were taken hostage to Gaza. 'The combat team posted at the outpost was not sufficiently prepared for such a terrorist infiltration,' the probe concluded.