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The women worked in shifts in the base’s war room, or Hamal, watching Gaza through a bank of monitors around the clock.

The Hamal is a windowless room protected by a solid door and blast walls, with strict security protocols.

A sniper-sighting system was put into action from the Hamal - the nerve centre of the base - and an officer attempted to shoot remotely at gunmen trying to cross the border, the IDF told families.

Infantry officers joined the Tatzpitaniyot in the Hamal, too.

Hamas gunmen were at the door of the Hamal.