Inside Shura Base: The Monumental Task of Identifying October 7 Victims
Colonel (Res.) Avner Cohen discusses leading the Shura military base identification efforts following the October 7 massacre, detailing unprecedented forensic achievements and psychological tolls.
Colonel (Res.) Avner Cohen, who was set to retire after 25 years of service, found himself commanding the Shura military base following the October 7, 2023, massacre. In a new book, From Shura to Revival, he details the harrowing task of handling hundreds of civilian and soldier casualties with utmost dignity. Cohen highlights the unprecedented global achievement in full identification, driven by intense cooperation between the IDF, police, and government agencies.
From Retirement to the Epicenter of Tragedy
Cohen recalls that on October 11, 2023, he was supposed to hand over his command. During the Sukkot holiday, he had already packed his office. However, the morning of October 7 changed everything. Witnessing terrorists roaming Israeli communities, he realized the unprecedented scale of the assault. The Military Rabbinate was immediately mobilized to handle bodies not only of soldiers but of countless civilians. Infrastructure established after the Meron disaster facilitated vital coordination among agencies.
"We did not give up on anyone. People literally gave their souls," Cohen stated, emphasizing the relentless effort to ensure human dignity and complete identification.
The Heavy Toll on Responders
Alongside operational success, Cohen speaks candidly about the psychological toll borne by the teams at Shura. Mental health professionals and social workers operated on-site from day one. However, the real crisis often hit staff members after returning home, once the routine of collective mission ceased. Many required prolonged psychological support to process the horrific sights they encountered.
The Strength of Israeli Unity
The book documents the profound unity that emerged at the base, where secular, religious, and ultra-Orthodox personnel worked side by side without ego or division. Cohen's core message remains a testament to national resilience: "When the people of Israel are together, they can stand up to any challenge and any mission."