שופטים, פרק כ׳, פסוק מ״ג

The decisive moments of the battle unfold as a coordinated, multi-stage attack where the Israelites close in on the tribe of Benjamin from all sides, securing a complete victory.

The assault begins with a total encirclement. The Israelites surround the Benjaminites completely, much like a crown wraps around a head. From a tactical standpoint, this marks the moment when the hidden ambush force emerges, trapping Benjamin from two distinct directions [מלבי״ם].

Following the encirclement, an intense pursuit begins. The primary approach among commentators is that the Israelites actively call out to one another, encouraging their troops to keep chasing the fleeing enemy. However, another perspective views this as a sophisticated tactical deception. In this scenario, the Israelites feign a retreat, tricking the Benjaminites into becoming the pursuers just before the trap finally snaps shut on them [מלבי״ם].

The conflict then shifts to the resting places of the Benjaminites. This location is understood either as a specific geographic area [ביאור שטיינזלץ] or as a general reference to their cities and tribal inheritance [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. The Israelites drive them out of these homes [רד״ק], advancing to the point of setting their cities on fire [מלבי״ם]. At these locations, the Israelites overtake the fleeing forces [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The confrontation is violent; the Israelites trample their enemies, crushing them much like a person treads grapes in a winepress [מצודת ציון, רד״ק].

This relentless chase and trampling continue all the way to an area situated directly opposite the city of Gibeah, specifically on its eastern side [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. This eastern route serves as the exact path through which the few survivors attempt to flee into the desert [מלבי״ם].