Heroism and resilience: Noam and Gali Tibon’s rescue mission amidst the Oct 7 attack

At 6:30 in the morning of October 7, 2023, Noam and Gali Tibon were enjoying a peaceful swim from a beach in Tel Aviv when the sound of sirens pierced the air. Minutes later, a chilling WhatsApp message from their son shattered their morning routine: “I think there is a terrorist inside our house.”

Their son, journalist Amir Tibon, was trapped with his wife and two young daughters in the saferoom inside their home at Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Gaza border as Hamas gunmen stormed the community. Without hesitation, Noam, a retired IDF Major General, and Gali jumped into their jeep and sped south, navigating through burning cars, bodies on the roads, and raging battles.

Their remarkable story of courage, survival, and determination was shared last night at the UIA Progressive Appeal NSW event at Sydney’s Emanuel Synagogue.

“We didn’t have time to think,” Noam recalled. “We saw the message and knew we had to move. I’ve served 35 years in the military—I know what terrorists are capable of. But I had no idea we were heading into the largest massacre in Israel’s history.”

The drive south quickly turned into a journey through devastation. The roads were eerily empty, an unusual sight in Israel’s often bustling south. As they passed junctions near the Gaza border, the scale of the attack became horrifyingly clear. “We saw cars abandoned on the road, some burning, some riddled with bullets,” Gali said. “Bodies of festival goers were lying in the sand. And still, no army.”

Near one junction, a young couple emerged barefoot from the bushes, shaking with fear. “They were at the Nova music festival,” Noam recalled. “They told us, ‘Terrorists came and slaughtered everyone. We ran into the fields and hid for hours.’” Without hesitation, Noam and Gali turned back toward Ashkelon, driving the young couple back to safety before continuing toward Nahal Oz. “It was never a question,” Gali said. “Even though we were racing to save our own family, we couldn’t leave them there.”

When they reached a police checkpoint near the kibbutz, they pleaded to be allowed through. “I told them, ‘My son is in his house. Terrorists are inside the kibbutz. Let me through,’” Noam said. But the police refused. “They said, ‘It’s a military zone. You cannot enter.’ But there was no military.”

Realizing no help was coming, the Tibons found a side route through the fields. Near the entrance to the kibbutz, they stopped again. “We saw a gunfight; Israeli police trying to stop a white pickup truck full of terrorists,” Noam said. “Bullets were flying. We heard the terrifying sound of gunfire aimed at us.” They pulled over and ducked for cover.

As they drove closer to Nahal Oz, they came across another roadblock. This time, a wounded Israeli soldier recognised Noam. “He said, ‘You were my commander. I’m coming with you.’”

When they finally arrived, the sight was unimaginable. “The security post at the entrance was still burning,” Noam said. “The smell of smoke, bodies in the streets, destroyed houses—it was hell on earth.”

By the time Noam entered the Kibbutz, 300 Hamas terrorists had infiltrated the community. Israeli security forces were either overwhelmed or unresponsive, leaving residents to fend for themselves. With only a pistol and sheer determination, Noam engaged in direct combat with Hamas militants near his son’s home. In a firefight, he and a small number of residents and soldiers neutralized multiple terrorists and helped secure the area.

Then came the moment of truth.

Noam and a team of special forces soldiers approached Amir’s house. “The door was locked, which was a good sign,” Noam said. “That meant they were still alive.” He knocked on the safe room door and called out, “Amir, it’s Abba.”

Then, a tiny voice answered: “Saba ba! Grandpa is here!”

“That was the most beautiful moment of my life,” Noam said. “But we didn’t have time to celebrate. There were still terrorists in the area, and we had to get everyone out.”

For nearly 12 hours, Amir, his wife Miri, and their two daughters had been trapped inside the safe room, hiding in complete darkness. The family had not eaten all day and there was no air conditioning. Outside, gunfire and explosions echoed through the kibbutz.

Members of the kibbutz’s security team and Israeli Border Police officers engaged the infiltrating terrorists. Tragically, the kibbutz’s security coordinator, Ilan Fiorentino, and Border Police officer Yaakov Krasniansky were killed in the fighting. Their resistance, however, played a crucial role in preventing further casualties and potential kidnappings.

By nightfall, the Israeli forces had regained control of the area, and Noam helped coordinate the evacuation of over 400 survivors from Nahal Oz. “Buses arrived, and we loaded everyone on,” he said. “I stood guard with just a pistol. The IDF was finally there; but they were too late to prevent the massacre.”

The kibbutz had lost 15 people. Seven were kidnapped to Gaza. Some have since returned. Others remain hostage.

Since that day, their son Amir has chronicled the attack in his bestselling book, The Gates of Gaza. The story has also drawn the attention of Fauda creators, Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, who are developing a film adaptation titled “October 7”.

More than just a speech, the UIA Progressive Appeal event was a testament to resilience, survival, and the unbreakable bond of family.

“We’re here because of luck, courage, and instinct,” Noam said. “But also because of the values we grew up with—you don’t leave people behind. Not your family. Not strangers. Not anyone.”