Heroism and Survival: A Sderot Police Officer's October 7 Testimony
A former Sderot police officer recounts her harrowing survival during the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack, detailing the rooftop battle, the loss of her colleagues, and her remarkable return to service.
Battle for the Sderot Police Station
On the morning of October 7, 2023, a female police officer arrived at the Sderot police station at 6:20 AM for her shift as duty commander, only to be met by a barrage of sirens. What initially seemed like a routine escalation quickly turned into a massive assault as terrorists infiltrated the area and attacked the station with heavy gunfire.
The officer, alongside several other police personnel, immediately took cover on the roof of the station to organize their defense. Despite running out of ammunition and fighting back with weapons scavenged from neutralized attackers, the officers faced wave after wave of assaults. During the fierce combat, a grenade was thrown onto the roof; the officer managed to throw it back down the stairwell, neutralizing two terrorists.
"I was shot in the hand, and two of the officers with me on the roof were killed right before my eyes. It was the hardest moment of my life. I thought I wouldn't make it out alive and told my colleagues to tell my son I love him."
Rescue and Return to Service
When terrorists finally breached the roof, the officer played dead until Yamam counter-terrorism forces arrived, cleared the area, and evacuated her. Seven police officers and one policewoman from the station lost their lives in the battle, alongside reinforcement officers. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, she returned to active duty just two days after the harrowing ordeal.
Life After October 7
Reflecting on the psychological scars, she noted that returning to the station for a media interview months later helped her confront her trauma. Having retired from the police force on June 1, 2026, she now serves as a district administration head in the Ashdod municipality, dedicated to preserving the memory of her fallen comrades.
