An Israeli K-9 unit is credited with the rescue of over 200 civilians during the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

The K-9 Oketz unit works with IDF fighters, providing tips so that the IDF is able to launch its attacks against its enemies. One K-9 is being touted as a hero in the newly launched war against Hamas. Naro helped alert IDF of a later ambush by Hamas gunmen as he was on a mission to find Hamas terrorists who participated in the attack on the kibbutz of Kfar Aza. During that attack, Hamas beheaded babies and young children, raped and killed women, and dragged old people out of their homes to either take as hostages or to kill them, too.

Naro alerted the IDF of a Hamas ambush. The K-9 unit was deployed to several communities near Gaza that were under siege by Hamas last week. The heroic hounds “rescued hostages, saved lives, and eliminated terrorists who had barricaded themselves in houses,” according to the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman’s Unit. Naro’s tip enabled the IDF to launch its own surprise attack against Hamas.

After its successful rescue missions, the K-9 Oketz unit will now be put on the offensive as Israel plans its ground invasion of Gaza.

“The next step is to enter the Gaza Strip,” the unit’s commander said. “The mission is to neutralize all the terrorists we confront in the field; we are ready, we are strong, we are united, and we are going to win.”

According to the IDF, the Oketz hounds are “specially trained dogs for missions in the field of counterterrorism, search and rescue, and other specific purposes.”

Sadly, Naro died in the gunfight. IDF soldiers located his remains and he was returned to his base for burial. All dogs go to heaven. Especially the very good boys like Naro.

On another rescue mission, a K-9 named Charlie attacked a Hamas leader, giving time for IDF soldiers to capture him.

Each dog is trained for a specific job. Those jobs include attack, search and rescue, locating weapons, and detecting explosives. The K-9s pair up with soldiers on rescue missions, for example and they are credited with rescuing several hostages and for the deaths of 10 Hamas terrorists.

The K-9 force will soon make a shift to offensive operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“The next step is to enter the Gaza Strip,” the commander said, according to the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman’s Unit. “The mission is to neutralize all the terrorists we confront in the field; we are ready, we are strong, we are united, and we are going to win.”

Oketz means “sting” in Hebrew. It is the main canine unit.

Rest in peace, Naro. Good boy.