When thousands of Hamas militants invaded southern Israel on October 7, there were only 110 police officers on duty, spread across hundreds of square kilometers and concentrated mainly in four police stations and a variety of other duty posts. Despite their relatively small numbers, officers of the Israel Police played a critical role in defending southern Israel that day. And in many locations, they were instrumental in preventing even more disaster than occurred in the tragic terrorist attacks.
In this episode of MWI’s Urban Warfare Project Podcast, John Spencer is joined by Israel Police Chief Superintendent Shlomi Chetrit. He serves as the head of the Israel Police History and Heritage Branch. The conversation begins with a broad overview of the composition, disposition, and strength of the Israel Police—a national force and the sole law enforcement agency in Israel—on October 7. Chetrit then describes a number of the individual events involving police officers in southern Israel on the morning of the attacks. He goes on to explain in detail the Battle of the Sderot Police Station, where the actions of the police prevented a large group of Hamas fighters from leaving the police station and continuing their massacre and kidnappings in the city.
You can listen to the discussion below or find the episode on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, or your favorite podcast app. Be sure to subscribe, and if you’re enjoying the Urban Warfare Project Podcast, please take a minute and leave the podcast a review or give it a rating!
Image: Mural commemorating the battle at the Sderot Police Station, next to the destroyed site. (Credit: John Spencer)