The IDF investigation into the October 7 battle at Zikim Beach and Kibbutz reveals that the command post operator responsible for the sector was instructed to leave the post during alerts and run to the shelter. As a result, for 9 minutes after the surprise attack began at 6:29 AM - a brief period that felt like eternity - the soldier meant to receive radio communications about events on the ground, multiple infiltrations, and relay reports to the battalion and between different forces, was not at the command post - because he was hiding in the shelter.