Israeli father reveals how his heroic daughter sprang into action to fight off Hamas gunmen and save her kibbutz

When the sound of explosives shattered the peace early Saturday morning, many ran for cover – a standard drill for those used to cross-fire on the Gaza border.

As alarm sirens blared at 6.30am, everyone in Nir Am – a kibbutz just 500 meters from the border – headed for shelters.

Inbar Lieberman, 25, joined them, but she soon heard other ominous sounds and realized this was different from the frequent rocket fire usually heard in the settlement.

She jumped into action, trying to unlock the city’s armory and distribute weapons to 12 fellow residents.

Instead of waiting to be attacked, Inbar – the kibbutz’s first female military security coordinator – was able to mount a response that made their settlement an impenetrable fortress.

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

Inbar Lieberman, 25, joined those heading to the shelters, but she soon heard other ominous sounds and realized it was different from the frequent rocket fire usually heard in the settlement.

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

“The security detail was alert and she made the decision to arm them and put them in position.”

She placed her squad in defensive positions along the kibbutz and set up ambushes.

A few minutes later, heavily armed Hamas men approached. The team opened fire, killing two and wounding another before more attackers went down.

A fierce gun battle raged for about three hours before Israeli security forces arrived at the scene.

Inbari’s brave actions meant that the group was able to hold back the advancing armed raiders.

‘It was amazing. My husband was part of the emergency unit that worked to prevent more casualties,” said Ilit Paz, Nir Am’s cultural coordinator.

“Inbar made a decision not to wait and jump operationally. The fact that they did it early prevented dozens of casualties.’

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

Israeli woman Inbar Lieberman, 25, is hailed as a hero for saving Kibbutz Nir Am from Hamas.

Inbar wrote on social media: ‘I still can’t understand everything… So many people are still on the field fighting for their lives, and there have been many others, fighting beside me and around me.’

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