 After the four @-@ hour battle , the kibbutz fell . A dozen of the defenders escaped . Most others surrendered and one or two were executed . The Legionnaires protected the prisoners from irregulars and the next day freed the women . The toll was 39 dead on the Israeli side and 2 on the Legionnaires ' side . The kibbutz was looted by the irregulars and the Legionnaires evacuated the area after the fights . In the evening the Yiftach Brigade retook the kibbutz . 
