By 
By Rebbetzin Devorah Trestman of the Chabad of Rancho Bernardo
On October 7, 2023, Ariella Ruback’s life changed forever when Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on her IDF base along the Gaza border. Her story is one of unimaginable loss, overwhelming terror, and incredible bravery. Ariella, who spoke at Chabad of Rancho Bernardo on January 14, 2025 as part of the Dr. Howard and Lori Kay lecture series, described how she survived the horrific events that saw 32 of her fellow soldiers—young men and women, each with their own dreams and futures—sacrificed their lives in defense of Israel.
Ariella’s base, just a three-minute drive from Gaza, was in the heart of the violence. The soldiers there were young, full of life, and dedicated to protecting their country. Ariella spoke passionately about her fallen friends—soldiers who loved parties, the beach, and good food, but who ultimately gave up everything to defend Israel. Their loss is something Ariella carries with her every day, haunted by the thought that their lives, hopes, and futures were stolen from them in an instant.
Even before October 7, Ariella had recognized the growing threat. In April 2023, she observed terrorist groups practicing military tactics near Gaza and reported it to her superiors, but nothing changed. She grew more concerned as the weeks went on, especially when, just before Yom Kippur, she predicted that a war was inevitable. By October 6, Ariella was on high alert, monitoring the Gaza border throughout the night. She had no idea that the day ahead would be unlike any other.
On the morning of October 7, after a late-night Shabbat meal with her fellow soldiers, Ariella and her friends gathered to watch the sunrise. Little did they know, it would be the last peaceful moment they would share. As Ariella closed her eyes for a brief rest before her shift, the base was shaken by sirens and explosions. At 6:20 a.m., the calm was shattered—terrorists were crossing the border, and the IDF base was under attack. Ariella rushed to the operations center to find chaos outside. The sky was black with smoke, and bombs rained down. Terrorists, wearing masks and carrying RPGs, machine guns, and grenades, advanced toward the base.
Despite the immediate danger, Ariella’s first priority was to warn her fellow soldiers. Many were off base, stationed at the kibbutzes they were responsible for defending, and others were fast asleep in the dorm. The situation was dire, and with no weapons, the soldiers were vulnerable. But Ariella’s concern for her friends outweighed her own fear. She managed to reach one of her friends in the dormitory, urging her to come to the operations center for safety. Her friend hesitated, fearing missile attacks, but Ariella made it clear that staying behind meant certain death at the hands of the terrorists.
In the operations room, the situation was horrific. As they hid behind computers for protection, the soldiers, including one officer who had brought his wife and baby to the base for Shabbat, sang softly to keep the baby calm, knowing they could be discovered at any moment. The tension was unbearable. Meanwhile, Ariella’s friends on guard duty tried to fight back, but after 20 minutes of resistance, they were killed by terrorist fire.
Two other brave soldiers, armed with only machine guns and 650 bullets each, ran to the front lines to defend their comrades. They were eventually killed as well, having used all their ammunition in a desperate fight. Another soldier, faced with the option to hide or fight, chose to defend his fellow soldiers. He used every bullet in his gun, holding off the attackers long enough to allow others to seek shelter. He too fell in battle with the terrorists, his selflessness and courage left a lasting impact on Ariella.
The horrors didn’t end with the gunfire. As the battle raged on, Ariella, along with a few others, emerged from their hiding spots to assist the wounded. They applied tourniquets, knowing that if they didn’t act, their comrades would bleed to death. At 7:30 a.m., three snipers from the base arrived in the operations room, severely wounded. They asked Ariella to let in more soldiers, unaware that many had already been left behind.
But the brutality of the attack by the terrorist of Gaza only grew worse. Ariella spoke of the atrocities committed by the terrorists that day—her fellow observers burned alive, so charred that their bodies had to be sent to the United States for identification. One of her friends, a fellow observer, stayed on the radio to report the ongoing events until she was tragically burned alive in the attack. Despite the terror surrounding them, these brave soldiers continued their duty, putting their fear aside to protect their fellow Jews.
Even more harrowing were the fates of several young women from the base who were taken hostage, kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. Some of those who survived were later tortured, wounded, and even killed by Gaza doctors—a stark reminder of the pure evil that permeates the enemy’s ranks. Ariella also learned that many of the bodies of her fallen comrades were decapitated, with Hamas terrorists attempting to sell their heads for $10,000.
Reflecting on the day, Ariella now understands a painful truth: peace with terrorists is impossible. Gaza, she says, is filled with individuals who are bent on destroying Israel and its people, and the brutality she witnessed is proof of the evil they are capable of. The terrorists did not simply attack a military base—they attacked a nation, targeting its soldiers, its civilians, and its future. Yet, despite the horrors, Ariella’s pride in her fallen comrades remains unshaken. They fought not just for themselves, but for the future of the Jewish people.
Ariella’s story is a testament to the resilience, bravery, and unyielding commitment of Israel’s defenders. Her words remind us that the price of having a Jewish state is high, but the sacrifices made to protect it are invaluable. The 32 soldiers who gave their lives that day are not just names on a list—they were young people with hopes, dreams, and families. Ariella’s mission now is to make sure that they are never forgotten. Their bravery and their love for Israel should be remembered by all.
As Ariella continues to process the trauma and loss, she carries forward the memory of her fallen comrades, vowing to honor their sacrifice and share their story. In her eyes, the fallen soldiers are heroes who deserve to be remembered, not as victims, but as brave defenders who gave everything for a higher purpose: the survival of the Jewish state. Ariella is currently raising funds for the widows and warriors fund at https://www.war-in-israel.org.
At the time of this publication B”H five of Ariella’s friends from the observation base were freed from Hamas captivity and returned to their families and friends.
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