The עובדה program’s investigation into Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion portrayed a dramatic and painful picture of the December 12th battle in Shejaiya — but it appears to have omitted several key facts that are critical for fully understanding what happened. Notably, the show presented the clash as if it unfolded in a single location, ignoring a second, highly significant arena where an initiated flanking maneuver led by Roi Meldasi z”l and Tomer Grinberg z”l was underway. This wasn't some incidental side mission — it was a crucial, planned operation to secure dominant ground, not a chaotic reaction mid-battle. Additionally, the report downplayed the deliberate nature of that mission, potentially misleading viewers into thinking it was an uncoordinated or reckless decision. By leaving out these important details, עובדה risked creating an incomplete — and perhaps unfair — narrative about the commanders’ decisions and the bravery of the soldiers involved.
Here’s a sharp response on Facebook from one of the soldiers that was there on the ground:
Yesterday, I watched the "Uvda" investigation about the Golani Brigade events in Shuja'iyya on December 12th, and I feel it's important to set a few things straight:
I was there, on the ground.
In the investigation, they presented the event as if it happened in only one location. There was another location — a significant one — that was completely omitted.
Led by Ro'i Meldasi, may his memory be a blessing, and under the command of Tomer Grinberg, may his memory be a blessing, we set out on a left-flank maneuver — not during a commanders' gathering as was claimed, but as part of a clear, deliberate mission to locate and secure commanding ground in the area.
This was a separate, critical phase, not a minor or random incident.
During this mission, Ro'i was hit and killed. Another soldier was also wounded.
A separation was created between the lead force commanded by Kharizi and my force, with Meldasi — injured — caught between us.
For long minutes, we found ourselves under heavy fire — bursts of gunfire and grenades thrown at us from dominant structures.
An intense battle took place, one that is deeply burned into memory.
I radioed Grinberg, reporting that we were under heavy fire, urgently needing support fire for extraction, and requesting an immediate evacuation.
Grinberg no longer heard the report.
And now I will ask a simple, clear question:
Was there really only one terrorist there, as was presented?
Does anyone truly believe that one person could generate the volume of firepower we experienced on the ground?
Most importantly, I want to clearly state what I know for certain — there was not just one terrorist there.
This isn't a story of exaggerated heroism or dramatization. This is the simple truth.
The soldiers who fought there — and especially the families who lost their loved ones — deserve an honest, accurate, and complete account.
I would be happy for this truth to be heard.
It deserves to be heard.
Will we ever hear the real story? Time will tell.
