Despite warnings that he would be hopelessly outnumbered by hundreds of terrorists, Noam drove on toward danger.
By Hezy Laing
Noam, a young IDF reservist serving in the special forces, found himself thrust into history on the morning of October 7th.
He was in Jerusalem with his new wife, visiting her family, when news broke of a massive terrorist infiltration into southern Israel.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his small handgun and sped south to his home in Kibbutz Saad, part of the Gaza Envelope.
After confirming that his community was secure, his thoughts immediately turned to the neighboring Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was under siege.
Despite warnings that he would be hopelessly outnumbered by hundreds of armed militants, Noam drove toward danger.
On the way, he encountered four other IDF reservists and police officers.
Together, they formed an improvised fighting squad and became the first soldiers to enter Kfar Aza.
What followed was a desperate battle.
With only a limited supply of bullets, Noam fought off wave after wave of attackers.
Eyewitnesses later recalled that he seemed to multiply his firepower through sheer determination, holding off dozens and perhaps even hundreds of terrorists.
His actions saved countless lives, buying precious time for civilians to hide and for reinforcements to arrive.
Throughout the firefight, Noam whispered Psalm 120 under his breath, a prayer for deliverance from deceit and violence, drawing spiritual strength as he fired each round.
When his last bullet was spent, reinforcements finally reached the kibbutz, supplying him with a uniform and fresh ammunition.
Far from retreating, Noam continued to lead the fight until the early hours of October 8th, guiding squads through the devastated community.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Noam’s role did not end.
Recognizing the need for a more agile and responsive force, he established a unique special operations unit composed of reservists and active‑duty fighters.
This unit has since been deployed repeatedly in Gaza, conducting raids on weapons caches, dismantling tunnel networks, and rescuing hostages under fire.
His leadership has been praised by senior commanders as embodying the resilience and ingenuity of Israel’s citizen‑soldiers.
Noam’s journey from a newlywed in Jerusalem to a battlefield commander in Gaza illustrates both the personal sacrifice and the collective determination that define Israel’s struggle for survival.
