An Israeli father reveals how his heroic daughter took action to fend off Hamas gunmen and save her kibbutz

As the sound of explosives shattered the calm early Saturday morning, many ran for cover – a standard exercise for those accustomed to gunfire across the Gaza border.

When the alarm sirens sounded at 6:30 a.m., everyone in Nir Am – a kibbutz just 500 meters from the border – made their way to the emergency shelters.

Inbar Lieberman, 25, joined them but soon heard other ominous noises and realized that this had nothing to do with the frequent rocket fire usually heard in the settlement.

She jumped into action and ran to open the town’s armory and distribute weapons to twelve fellow residents.

Instead of waiting for an attack, Inbar – the kibbutz’s first female military security coordinator – was able to organize a response that turned her settlement into an impregnable fortress.

Inbar saved her kibbutz from harm by leading a group of residents to safety and killing at least five Hamas militants

Inbar Lieberman, 25, joined those heading to shelters but soon heard other ominous noises and realized that this did not compare to the frequent rocket fire usually heard in the settlement

Ofer Lieberman, her father, said: “Because of the rockets, the power went out and she ordered the power not to be restored so that no one could open the gates to the kibbutz.”

“The security personnel had woken up and they decided to arm them and move them into position.”

She placed her force in defensive positions throughout the kibbutz and planned ambushes.

Minutes later, heavily armed Hamas fighters approached. The team opened fire, killing two and wounding another, before more attackers arrived.

A fierce firefight raged for about three hours before Israeli security forces arrived on the scene.

Thanks to Inbar’s courageous actions, the group managed to thwart the advancing gunmen.

‘It was wonderful. “My husband was part of the preparedness unit that worked to prevent further casualties,” said Ilit Paz, Nir Am’s cultural coordinator.

“Inbar made the decision not to wait and undergo surgery. The fact that they did it early prevented dozens of victims.”

None of the residents were injured, while several of the attackers were killed – conflicting reports suggest up to 25 bodies were later found.

25-year-old Israeli Inbar Lieberman is being hailed as a hero for saving Kibbutz Nir Am from Hamas

Inbar wrote on social media: “I still can’t understand it all… So many people are still fighting for their lives on the field, and there were many more fighting next to me and around me.”

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