Israel–Hamas war

2023 Israel–Hamas war
Part of the Arab–Israeli conflict
Gaza Strip   Israeli territory with Palestinian militant presence   Evacuated areas   Maximum extent of Palestinian advance   Areas inside Gaza Strip ordered to be evacuated by Israel See here for a more comprehensive map.
Date 7 October 2023 – present (7 months and 6 days) Location Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria Status Ongoing Palestinian militants break through the Gaza–Israel barrier and invade Israel's Southern District Israeli military carries out airstrikes in the Gaza Strip Israel imposes a total blockade on Gaza Approximately 200 Israeli and foreign hostages taken by Palestinian militants Israel orders the evacuation of northern Gaza including Gaza City Israel invades Gaza
Belligerents
Hamas Islamic Jihad PFLP DFLP File:Lion's Den Emblem.png Lions' Den Hezbollah (limited)	Israel
Commanders and leaders
Ismail Haniyeh Yahya Sinwar Mohammed Deif Abu Obaida Ziyad al-Nakhalah Nayef Hawatmeh Hassan Nasrallah	Isaac Herzog Benjamin Netanyahu Benny Gantz Yoav Gallant Herzi Halevi Kobi Shabtai Ronen Bar
Units involved
Al-Qassam Brigades Al-Quds Brigades Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades National Resistance Brigades	Israel Defense Forces Israel Police Shin Bet
Strength
Al-Qassam Brigades: 40,000 2,500 infiltrated Israel	529,500 total IDF strength
Casualties and losses
Gaza Strip: 1,900 killed 7,696 wounded 423,000 displaced Inside Israel (Israeli claim): 1,000 militants killed West Bank: 51 killed 600 wounded Lebanon: 6 killed	Israel: 1,300+ killed 3,400 wounded 200+ abducted

An ongoing war between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas began on 7 October 2023 when militants invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip. It was met with an Israeli counteroffensive; Israel formally declared war on Hamas a day later. The event is part of the decades-long Arab–Israeli conflict, particularly the Gaza–Israel conflict.

Since 2006, Israel and Hamas have gone to war several times, while Palestinians and Israelis were engaged in a long-standing military and political conflict. Hamas avoided major engagements with Israel in 2022 and even most of 2023, when clashes killed 245 Palestinians and 32 Israelis. Instead, Hamas appeared to be covertly preparing for their major offensive, Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This attack began in the early morning with a rocket barrage of at least 3,000 missiles against Israel and vehicle-transported incursions into its territory. Palestinian militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking military bases and killing civilians in neighboring Israeli communities. At least 1,300 Israelis were killed including 260 people who were massacred at a music festival. Unarmed civilian hostages and captured Israeli soldiers were also taken to the Gaza Strip, including women and minors.

After clearing Hamas forces from affected areas, Israel responded with airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, which killed more than 1,900. The United Nations reported that around 423,000 Palestinians, more than a fifth of the population of Gaza, have been internally displaced. Fears of a humanitarian crisis were heightened after Israel cut off food, water, electricity, and fuel supplies to Gaza, which had already been blockaded by both Egypt and Israel. There were widespread deaths of civilians, and many allegations of war crimes. Internationally, protests occurred in many locations and hate crimes increased.

Many countries, including Western nations, have denounced Hamas and labeled its strategies as terrorism, whilst numerous other countries, including Muslim nations, have cited the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as the root cause of the escalation. Many Arab states called for a de-escalation. A conflict was reported between militants in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, and Israeli forces on 8 and 9 October. The United States deployed an aircraft carrier battle group to the Eastern Mediterranean, and Germany declared it would begin supplying military aid to Israel.

Nomenclature

The Palestinian militants dubbed their assault Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (or Deluge), whilst Israel named its counteroffensive Operation Swords of Iron.

Several news agencies and observers have described the ongoing conflict as the Third Intifada, following the prior Palestinian uprisings of the First and Second Intifadas. Others have referred to it as the Sukkot War, after the festivity celebrated the day the attack started. Numerous analysts and officials have described the initial assault as "Israel's 9/11". In response to the statement that it was the Israeli 9/11, US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, said that it was an attack equal to ten times that of 9/11.

Background

See also: Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Iran-Israel proxy conflict, Gaza–Israel conflict, July 2023 Jenin incursion, and 2023 Al-Aqsa clashes

The Gaza Strip and Israel have been in conflict since the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and Hamas gaining control of the Gaza Strip after winning Palestinian elections in 2006 and a civil war with Fatah in 2007. The Gaza Strip has been under an Egyptian and Israeli blockade since 2007, leading Human Rights Watch to call it an "open-air prison" and state that "Israel should end the generalized ban on travel to and from Gaza..." and allow widespread "freedom of movement" between Gaza and Israel. The blockade has caused significant economic hardship within Gaza, and Israeli settler violence was cited by Hamas as some of the reasons for its offensive. Israel said that the blockade was necessary to protect Israeli citizens from "terrorism, rocket attacks and any other hostile activity" and to prevent dual use goods from entering Gaza. In Egypt, Hamas is widely seen as closely associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which they consider to be a terrorist organization.

At the time of the attack, Israel and Saudi Arabia were conducting negotiations to normalize relations, with Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman recently stating that normalization was "for the first time, real". Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had "repeatedly warned that Israel's ongoing occupation of Gaza would propel further violence." In September, two to three weeks of violence occurred at the Gaza–Israel barrier. On 29 September, Qatar, the UN, and Egypt mediated an agreement between Israel and Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip to reopen closed crossing points and de-escalate tensions.

Israeli politics has historically been dominated by social democractic, secular parties in the "peace camp" that made significant efforts to forge a peace process with the Palestinians from its founding to the early 2000s, most notably in the case of Yitzhak Rabin during the Oslo Accords. Their influence declined significantly in Israeli politics after the Palestinian National Authority declared war on the country during the Second Intifada. Palestinian suicide bombings were a prominent feature of the fighting and mainly targeted Israeli civilians, contrasting with the relatively less violent nature of the First Intifada, decimating attempts to resolve the conflict through talks. The New York Times writes: "The waning of [attempts at a peace process] began in the 2000s, when a wave of Palestinian violence was interpreted by many Israelis as a rejection of efforts [by Palestinians] to peacefully resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. That discredited [a] prior push [in Israel] for greater Palestinian sovereignty and boosted the... narrative that Israel could not count on Palestinians to negotiate a lasting peace." After the 2022 Israeli legislative election in November, a Netanyahu-led right-wing government took office the following month. The government ramped up settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank; an increase in settler attacks there, which has displaced hundreds of Palestinians; and tensions flaring around a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site, the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Hamas stated that their attack was in response to the Egyptian-Israel blockade on Gaza, continued settlements, settler violence, and restrictions on movement between Israel and Gaza. Other analysts doubted this reasoning given by Hamas, suggesting it was a means of gathering Western sympathy, and that its ideology had always been and had remained what they called "genocidal" against Jews. Bruce Hoffman stated: "In sum, [among Hamas], any compromise over this land, including the moribund two-state solution, much less coexistence among faiths and peoples, is forbidden". Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at Tel Aviv University, argued "It’s absolutely clear that the basic reasons... was not the Al-Aqsa Mosque, or the war in the West Bank, or the economic situation in Gaza, or the Saudi-Israeli negotiations. It was much deeper. It was a part of the long-term vision of Hamas to eradicate Israel...Absolutely. In order to understand Hamas, you have to know Arabic, and you have to read things in Arabic and listen to Hamas preachers and Hamas leaders when they speak to their own people. It’s absolutely different from the things that are translated to us in Hebrew or English."

According to the New York Times, "the Palestinian Authority hasn't held national elections since 2006, partly because Mr. Abbas fears losing to Hamas..." Peace negotiations with Israel officially ended in 2014. In Gaza and the West Bank, by the 2020s, Hamas had emerged the "dominant political force" within the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian Liberation Authority and Fatah became deeply unpopular among most Palestinians. According to Eado Hech, polling has indicated that the majority of Gazans support the agenda of Hamas, with its only significant political rival now being the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization. A large majority in Gaza were found to support terror attacks on Israeli civilians in some form as well as a "Third Intifada" against Israel. In 2023, there were several violent flare-ups in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Prior to the attack, including combatants and civilians on both sides, at least 247 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces, while 32 Israelis and two foreign nationals had been killed in Palestinian attacks.

The attack took place during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah on Shabbat, and a day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, which also began with a surprise attack.

Timeline

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

For a more comprehensive list, see List of military engagements during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.

7 October

Main article: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

Palestinian offensive

Rocket barrages

See also: Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel

Aftermath of a rocket attack in Rishon LeZion

At around 6:30 a.m. Israel Summer Time (UTC+3) on 7 October 2023, Hamas announced the start of what it called "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood", stating that it had fired over 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel within a span of 20 minutes. Israeli sources reported that at least 3,000 projectiles had been launched from Gaza. At least five people were killed by the rocket attacks. Explosions were reported in areas surrounding the Strip and in cities in the Sharon Plain including Gedera, Herzliyya, Tel Aviv, and Ashkelon. Air raid sirens were also activated in Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Palmachim Airbase. Hamas issued a call to arms, with senior military commander Mohammad Deif calling on "Muslims everywhere to launch an attack".

Palestinian militants also opened fire on Israeli boats off the Gaza Strip, while clashes broke out between Palestinians and the Israel Defense Forces in the eastern section of the Gaza perimeter fence. In the evening Hamas launched another barrage of about 150 rockets towards Israel, with explosions being reported in Yavne, Givatayim, Bat Yam, Beit Dagan, Tel Aviv, and Rishon Lezion.

Incursions into Israel

Further information: Stand-off in Be'eri and Ofakim, Battle of Re'im, Battle of Sderot, Battle of Zikim, Re'im music festival massacre, Netiv HaAsara attack, Be'eri massacre, Kfar Aza massacre, Nir Oz massacre, and Ein HaShlosha massacre

Approximate situation on 7–8 October

Simultaneously, around 2,500 Palestinian militants infiltrated Israel from Gaza using trucks, pickup trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats and paragliders. They took over the checkpoint at the Kerem Shalom crossing, and created openings in the border fence in five other places, including by the Erez crossing. Images and videos appeared to show heavily armed and masked militants dressed in black fatigues riding pickup trucks and opening fire in Sderot, killing dozens of Israeli civilians and soldiers. Other videos appeared to show Israelis taken prisoner and a burning Israeli tank, as well as militants driving Israeli military vehicles.

On the same morning, a massacre unfolded at an outdoor music festival near Re'im, resulting in at least 260 dead, with many still missing. Witnesses recounted militants on motorcycles opening fire on fleeing participants, who were already dispersing due to rocket fire that had wounded some attendees; some were also taken hostage. Militants killed civilians at Nir Oz, Be'eri, and Netiv HaAsara, where they took hostages and set fire to homes, as well as in kibbutzim around the Gaza Strip. 200 civilians were killed in the Kfar Aza massacre, 108 in the Be'eri massacre, and 15 people in the Netiv HaAsara massacre, in what has been described as the "worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust". Hostages were also reported to have been taken in Ofakim, while homes in Sderot were set on fire. Hamas said it took prisoners to force Israel to release its Palestinian prisoners, claiming it had taken enough prisoners to secure the release of all the imprisoned Palestinians, including women and minors.

Hamas militants carried out an amphibious landing in Zikim. Palestinian sources claim that the local Israeli army base was stormed. The IDF said it had killed two attackers on the beach and destroyed four vessels, including two rubber boats. A military base outside Nahal Oz was also taken by the militants, leaving at least two Israeli soldiers dead and at least six others captured.

Fighting was reported at Re'im military base, headquarters of the Gaza Division. It was later reported that Hamas took control of the base and had taken several Israeli soldiers captive before the IDF regained control later in the day. The police station of Sderot was reported to have come under Hamas control, with militants killing 30 Israelis, including policemen and civilians.

Several Palestinian groups voiced their support for the operation. The National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the secular-socialist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) confirmed their participation in the operation through their military spokesman Abu Khaled, saying it had lost three fighters in combat with the IDF. The PFLP, another Palestinian socialist militant group, and the Lions' Den group voiced their support for the operation and declared maximum alertness and general mobilization amongst their troops, and the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades (armed wing of the PFLP) published videos of it storming Israeli watchtowers.

An Israeli military spokesman stated that the militants from Gaza had entered Israel through at least seven locations and invaded four small rural Israeli communities, the border city of Sderot, and two military bases from both land and sea. Israeli media reported that seven communities came under Hamas control, including Nahal Oz, Kfar Aza, Magen, Be'eri, and Sufa. The Erez Crossing was reported to have come under Hamas control, enabling the militants to enter Israel from Gaza. Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said that there were 21 active high-confrontation locations in southern Israel.

Israeli response

The attack, which coincided with the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, appeared to have been a complete surprise to the Israelis.

The Iron Dome air defense system was activated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant conducted security assessments at Israel Defense Forces (IDF) headquarters in Tel Aviv. Gallant later approved the mobilisation of tens of thousands of army reservists and declared a state of emergency for areas within 80 kilometers (50 mi) of the Gaza border. He also said that Hamas "made a grave mistake" in launching its attack and pledged that "Israel will win". The IDF declared a "state of readiness for war". It also said that the reservists were to be deployed not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank and along the borders with Lebanon and Syria. Residents in areas around the Gaza Strip were asked to stay inside, while civilians in southern and central Israel were "required to stay next to shelters". Roads around the Gaza Strip were closed by the IDF. The streets of Tel Aviv were also locked down.

Following the assault, Israel declared a heightened state of preparedness for potential conflict. The IDF declared a state of readiness for war, and Netanyahu convened an emergency gathering of security authorities. The IDF additionally reported their initiation of targeted actions in the Gaza Strip under what it called Operation Swords of Iron. Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai announced that a "state of war" existed, following what he called "a massive attack from the Gaza Strip". He also announced the closure of the entire southern region of Israel to "civilian movement" as well as the deployment of the Yamam counterterrorism unit to the area. The IDF's chief spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said four divisions were deployed to the area, augmenting 31 preexisting battalions.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the country was facing "a very difficult moment", and offered strength and encouragement to the IDF, other security forces, rescue services, and residents who were under attack. In a televised broadcast, Netanyahu stated: "We are at war." He also said that the IDF would reinforce its border deployments to deter others from 'making the mistake of joining this war'. In a later address, he threatened to "turn Gaza into a deserted island", and urged its residents to "leave now".

While Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport remained operational, multiple airlines cancelled flights to and from Israel. Israel Railways suspended service throughout portions the country and replaced some routes with temporary bus routes, while cruise ships removed ports such as Ashdod and Haifa from their itineraries.

Overnight, Israel's Security Cabinet voted to undertake a series of actions to bring about the "destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad", according to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office. The Israel Electric Corporation, which supplies up to 80% of the Gaza Strip's electricity, cut off power to the area. As a result, Gaza's power supply was reduced from 120 MW to only 20 MW, forcing it to rely on power plants paid for by the Palestinian Authority.

Main articles: Stand-off in Be'eri and Ofakim and Be'eri massacre

In Be'eri, Hamas militants took up to 50 people hostage. During a stand-off between militants and IDF forces, videos emerged from Be'eri showing the hostages being led by Hamas militants barefoot across a street in town. Approximately 18 hours after the stand-off began, the IDF announced that they had freed the hostages in Be'eri. In the town of Urim, a suburb of Ofakim, two Israelis were rescued by the IDF. Four Hamas militants were killed, and three Israeli soldiers were injured during the rescue.

Airstrikes in the Gaza Strip

Highrise building in Gaza following an Israeli strike

File:Damage in Gaza Strip during the October 2023 - 49.jpg

Resultant damage in the Gaza Strip following an Israeli airstrike

The IDF said it attacked targets in Gaza using fighter jets, claiming to have hit 17 Hamas military compounds and four operational command centres. Among the locations struck was the 11-story Palestine Tower in downtown Gaza City that housed Hamas radio stations on its rooftop. Israel also struck two hospitals, killing an ambulance driver and a nurse.

8 October

Overnight Israel struck up to 426 targets in the Gaza Strip. The town of Beit Hanoun was mostly leveled by airstrikes, and the Al-Amin Muhammad Mosque was destroyed. Targets also included various housing blocks, tunnels, homes of Hamas officials, and the Watan Tower, which served as a hub for internet providers in the area. One Israeli airstrike killed 19 members of the same family (including women and children); survivors of the airstrike said there were no militants in their area nor were they warned.

Another rocket barrage was launched in the morning, with one rocket hitting the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Hamas also fired 100 rockets at Sderot. The DFLP said that they were engaged with Israeli forces in Kfar Aza, Be'eri, and Kissufim.

Remains of the Sderot police station, following recapture by IDF.

The Security Cabinet formally placed the country under a state of war for the first time since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The IDF stated that two hostage situations had been "resolved". Following the arrival of IDF reinforcements, soldiers surrounded Sderot police station and regained control over it, killing at least ten Hamas militants. The IDF also said it had secured 22 locations from Palestinian forces but were still trying to clear eight other locations including Sderot and Kfar Aza. In one community, it rescued nearly 50 hostages. Several Palestinian gunmen riding in a stolen car were killed by Israeli forces near Ashkelon following a shootout on a main road. At the same time, more Palestinian fighters were reported to have entered Magen, while 70 Palestinian reinforcements arrived at Be'eri.

Evacuations of residents living near the Gaza Strip were ordered, and Netanyahu appointed former brigadier general Gal Hirsch as the government's point man on missing and kidnapped citizens. The IDF said it had called in up to 300,000 reservists and said it was aiming to eliminate Hamas's military capabilities and overthrow its rule over the Gaza Strip.

A lockdown was imposed on the West Bank by the IDF.

9 October

Further information: October 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, Jabalia refugee camp market airstrike, and Al-Shati refugee camp airstrike

Approximate situation on 9 October

Building in the Gaza Strip being levelled by Israeli missiles

The IDF reportedly struck 500 targets in the Gaza Strip overnight, including the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp, reportedly causing dozens of casualties, including children. IDF stated it established full control over Israeli towns around the Gaza perimeter fence. Operations against militants continued in Sderot. Hamas said that it would execute Israeli hostages if Israel continued to bombard "civilian homes without advanced warning."

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a "total" blockade of the Gaza Strip that would cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel, adding that "We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly." Human Rights Watch called the order "abhorrent" and called on the International Criminal Court to make "note of this call to commit a war crime." The IDF said 15 communities around the Gaza Strip had been evacuated.

The Israeli Air Force deployed C-130 and C-130J heavy transport planes across Europe to collect hundreds of off-duty IDF personnel to be deployed in the conflict.

Hamas fired another barrage in the direction of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with one rocket landing near a terminal of Ben Gurion Airport.

10 October

Further information: Hajji Tower airstrike

Israeli forces reclaimed Kfar Aza and began collecting the dead, finding the bodies of victims mutilated, with women and babies beheaded and burnt in their homes. The bodies of 40 babies and young children were taken out on gurneys, out of what one estimate described as at least 100 civilian victims.

The IDF said it had mobilized up to 360,000 reservists, and launched airstrikes at the al-Daraj and al-Furqan neighborhoods in Gaza, as well as the Port of Gaza. It also largely destroyed the al-Karama and Rimal neighborhoods of Gaza City, which hosted ministries of the Hamas-run government, universities, media organizations and aid agencies. Israeli warplanes also struck the Rafah border crossing linking Gaza and Egypt, damaging a hall on the Palestinian side, prompting its closure. The family residence of Mohammed Deif in Khan Younis was also struck, killing his father, brother and at least two other relatives.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that the ministry was purchasing 10,000 rifles to arm civilian security teams, particularly in border communities, mixed Jewish-Arab cities and West Bank settlements. He added that 4,000 assault rifles, as well as helmets and bulletproof vests had already been acquired from a domestic manufacturer and were to be distributed immediately.

Hamas militants carried out another incursion into an industrial zone in Ashkelon, where at least three of them were killed in clashes with the IDF. Rockets were fired at Tel Aviv and Ashkelon.

11 October

Medics transport an injured Palestinian child into Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike

Israeli warplanes struck and destroyed several buildings of the Islamic University of Gaza, saying that it had been turned into a weapons factory and training ground.

Israel formed an emergency war government, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz heading a war cabinet with Gadi Eizenkot and Ron Dermer as observers.

Rockets were fired at Ashkelon. Another rocket strike forced UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who was visiting the town of Ofakim, to run for cover. One person was injured and four buildings were hit following a rocket attack in Sderot.

The Gaza Strip's only power plant ran out of fuel, and because of the blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel, all supplies of gas and other types of fuel were cut off.

The Gaza City port was struck with white phosphorus artillery projectiles.

12 October

Israel said it had bombed Hamas' elite Nukhba forces, their command centers, and the residence of a senior Hamas naval operative that it said was used to store unspecified weapons. Commanders from two smaller militant groups were also reported to have been killed in airstrikes.

Four people were injured and seven houses were struck following a rocket attack in Sderot. As the IDF continued to attack buildings and neighborhoods, the Gaza Health Ministry announced that the number of dead in Gaza has reached more than 1,400 people, including 447 children and 248 women.

Israeli Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Israel Katz, stated that the lifting of the Gaza blockade would not occur until the hostages, who were abducted by Hamas, are safely returned to their homeland.

13 October

Further information: 2023 Israeli ground invasion of Gaza

Early in the day, the IDF issued evacuation warnings for communities north of the Wadi Gaza, including Gaza City, within 24 hours, instructing people to move towards the south. The evacuation of northern Gaza, which would involve the displacement of 1.1 million Palestinians, was deemed impossible by the UN, who in a statement warned of "devastating humanitarian consequences." Shortly after the evacuation orders were issued, UN facilities, including UNRWA, were instructed to move to Rafah. The Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs responded by telling residents in northern Gaza to "remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation." Doctors Without Borders issued a statement calling the order to evacuate "outrageous" and "an attack on medical care and on humanity" and condemned the Israeli order "in the strongest possible terms." Hamas claimed at least 70 people fleeing south had been killed by Israeli airstrikes.

In the evening, the IDF stated that its ground forces had conducted localized raids into Gaza, saying they were attacking Hamas militants and searching for hostages taken during their attack.

Outside Israel and the Gaza Strip

See also: October 2023 Hezbollah strike, 2023 Alexandria shooting, October 2023 Syrian-Israeli exchanges, Arras school stabbing, and Storming of Jenin

7 October

Between 7 and 8 October 11 Palestinian youths, including a 13-year-old, were killed in confrontations with Israeli forces throughout the occupied West Bank.

8 October

In the morning, Hezbollah fired rockets and shells at the Shebaa Farms region; in response the IDF fired artillery shells and sent a military drone into southern Lebanon. Two Lebanese children were reportedly injured by broken glass.

In Alexandria, Egypt, a policeman attacked Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guides, killing two Israelis and one Egyptian, and wounding a third Israeli. The policeman was detained by the Egyptian police. Video footage confirmed that a small unit belonging to Palestinian militias had arrived at the Jewish settlement of Psagot near occupied East Jerusalem. According to the statement, the unit, made up of several fighters from Gaza, clashed with Israeli soldiers at the Qalandia checkpoint.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of the United States Navy's Carrier Strike Group 12—led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, and supported by the cruiser USS Normandy and the destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt—to the Eastern Mediterranean. Additionally, the United States Air Force augmented its F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter squadrons in the region. The Biden administration said this was done to deter other actors from entering the conflict. Hamas called the move an "attempt to boost the morale of the crumbling Israeli army" and "participation in the aggression against our people". Likewise, Hezbollah said that "sending aircraft carriers to the region will not frighten the resistance factions ready for confrontation until victory is achieved".

9 October

The IDF claimed to have killed several infiltrators from Lebanon and fired artillery across the border. Hezbollah denied involvement in the incident. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad militia later claimed responsibility for the armed infiltration. Later in the day, fighting began again between Hezbollah and Israeli troops, resulting in three Hezbollah gunmen being killed. Three IDF soldiers, including a senior officer, were killed, while the IDF's Home Front Command ordered residents in 28 towns in northern Israel to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Artillery shelling was also reported from militants based in Syria.

10 October

Israeli police killed two Palestinians accused of throwing stones at them in East Jerusalem. Clashes broke out again on the Israel-Lebanon border after Hezbollah fired an anti-tank guided missile at an Israeli military vehicle in the Avivim area, prompting a retaliatory Israeli helicopter strike.

11 October

Clashes broke out between Hezbollah and the IDF along the Israel-Lebanon border again, with the IDF ordering residents in northern Israel to seek shelter following reports of drones being launched from southern Lebanon. A Patriot missile was launched to intercept a suspicious projectile, after which the IDF found that the object in question was not a drone. Warning sirens were activated across northern Israel after reports emerged that up to 20 infiltrators on paragliders had entered Israeli territory from Lebanon before the IDF dismissed the report as a false alarm. An IDF soldier was killed and another was injured in an anti-tank missile attack by Hezbollah.

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked the village of Qusra, killing four Palestinians. A 16-year-old was fatally shot by the IDF in Bani Naim, while another person was also shot dead by the IDF near Bethlehem.

12 October

Syrian state TV said Israel launched attacks on the international airports of both Damascus and Aleppo. Russia characterized the strikes as a violation of international law.

In the West Bank, two Palestinians were killed after Israeli settlers interrupted a funeral procession for Palestinians killed in prior settler attacks and opened fire.

13 October

Hezbollah deputy chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said that 'when time comes for any action, we will carry it out' stating that Hezbollah was ready and 'would "contribute" to confrontations against Israel according to its own plan'. The IDF fired artillery into southern Lebanon following an explosion that caused minor damage to a section of the Israel-Lebanon border wall near the kibbutz of Hanita. A Lebanese Reuters correspondent was killed and at least four other journalists were injured.

An Israeli diplomat based at the Embassy of Israel in Beijing, China was stabbed by an unknown attacker. The diplomat was taken to a hospital for treatment and was in stable condition.

A teacher was killed and another teacher and a security guard are seriously wounded in a stabbing attack at a high school in Arras, France. The Chechen attacker, heard shouting "Allahu akbar" during the attack, was arrested by police. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed that the attack was linked to the Israeli military offensive.

Casualties

See also: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood § Deaths

Israeli

Israeli UH-60 evacuating wounded personnel

At least 1,300 Israelis were killed, including 220 soldiers and 45 police officers, over 3,400 wounded, and 130–150 IDF soldiers and civilians taken hostage. Casualties include about 70 Arab Israelis, especially Negev Bedouin. On 7 October, over 100 civilians were killed in the Be'eri massacre, including women and children; and over 260 attendees were killed at a music festival in Re'im. As of 10 October, over 100 people had been reported killed in the Kfar Aza massacre, with the total death toll unknown. Nine people were fatally shot at a bus shelter in Sderot. At least four people were reported killed in Kuseife. At least 400 casualties were reported in Ashkelon, while 280 others were reported in Beer Sheva, 60 of which were in serious condition. In the north, injuries from rocket attacks were reported in Tel Aviv.

Former Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. striker Lior Asulin was among those killed in the Re'im music festival massacre. The head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein, was killed in an exchange of fire with the militants. The police commander of Rahat, Jayar Davidov, was also killed. Izhar Peled, a police officer, was killed in Kfar Aza. The IDF confirmed that 258 of its soldiers had been killed. Among their confirmed dead were Colonel Yonatan Steinberg, the commander of the Nahal Brigade, who was killed near Kerem Shalom; Colonel Roi Levy, commander of the Multidimensional "Ghost" unit, who was killed near Kibbutz Re'im; and Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginsberg, commander of the LOTAR Counter-terrorism Unit School. The Druze deputy commander of the 300th "Baram" Regional Brigade, Lieutanant Colonel Alim Abdallah, was killed in action along with two other soldiers while responding to an infiltration from southern Lebanon on 9 October.

At least 150 Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas and transported to the Gaza Strip. On 8 October, Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed to be holding at least 30 captives. At least four people were reportedly taken from Kfar Aza. Videos from Gaza appeared to show captured people, with Gazan residents cheering trucks carrying dead bodies. Four captives were later reported to have been killed in Be'eri, and Hamas indicated that an IDF airstrike on Gaza on 9 October killed four captives. Among those believed to have been abducted was Vivian Silver, a peace activist and former board member of the human rights organisation B'Tselem, who went missing following the attack on Be'eri. Yedioth Ahronoth photographer Roy Idan was reported missing and likely captured alongside his child in Kfar Aza. His wife was killed and two of their children were able to hide in a closet until rescued. On 11 October, Hamas's Qassam Brigades released a video appearing to show the release of three hostages, namely Shiri Silberman-Bibas and her two children, in an open area near a fence. Israel dismissed the video as "theatrics".

Palestinian

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that, as of 11 October, at least 1,537 Palestinians, including 583 children and 381 women had been killed and 6,268 Palestinians had been injured. Four Palestinians were killed and five others were wounded in clashes with the IDF along Gaza's perimeter fence. The Israeli Defense Forces estimated on 10 October that the bodies of approximately 1,000 Palestinian militants had been found inside Israel. Five Palestinian militants were reported to have been killed in Sderot.

On 8 October, ten civilians were reportedly killed in a strike on a residential building in Shabora near Khan Younis. A Hamas leader named Ayman Younis was reported to have been killed after a shelling. On 9 October, nineteen people, including the leader of a local armed group, were killed in an airstrike in Rafah. At least 50 people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on the Jabalia Camp.

On 10 October, the head of Hamas's National Relations Office, Zakaria Abu Muammar, was said to have been killed in Khan Yunis. The IDF confirmed that they had killed Jawad Abu Shamala, the economy minister for Hamas, in a drone strike.

Foreign and dual-national casualties

File:Kidnapped In Israel posters, High Road, North Finchley, October 2023 02.jpg

Posters in North Finchley, London, highlighting people kidnapped by Hamas during the war

As of 11 October, the Washington Post reported that persons from 24 countries had been killed or went missing during the conflict.

Country	Deaths	Captured	Missing	Ref.
United States	27	Unknown	14
Thailand	21	16	14
France	13	Unknown	17
Ukraine	12	9	8
Nepal	10	17	1
Argentina	7	Unknown	15
Ethiopia	7	0	0
Chile	4	1	0
Russia	4	Unknown	12
Austria	3	Unknown	2
Canada	3	Unknown	2
China	3	0	2
Philippines	3	2	3
Brazil	2	Unknown	1
Colombia	2	Unknown	Unknown
Paraguay	2	Unknown	2
Romania	2	0	1
South Africa	2	Unknown	Unknown
United Kingdom	2	Unknown	17
Australia	1	Unknown	Unknown
Cambodia	1	0	0
Germany	1	5	Unknown
Honduras	1	Unknown	Unknown
Ireland	1	Unknown	Unknown
Lithuania	1	0	0
Peru	1	Unknown	3
Portugal	1	0	1
Spain	1	0	0
Sri Lanka	1	Unknown	2
Switzerland	1	Unknown	Unknown
Turkey	1	0	1
Denmark	0	1	0
Mexico	0	2	0
Italy	Unknown	Unknown	2
Tanzania	Unknown	Unknown	2

The Nepali ambassador to Israel, Kanta Rijal, said at least seven of its nationals in the country were injured in the attack, and that they along with ten others were held captive by Hamas at an agricultural farm in Alumim. The Nepalese embassy later confirmed that 10 Nepalese students were killed during the attack in the area of Kibbutz Alumim. Israeli media also reported that migrant workers from Thailand and the Philippines were also taken captive by Palestinian militants. Thai authorities later confirmed that 21 of its nationals were killed during the Palestinian attack, while 14 others were injured and 16 were captured by the militants. The Philippine government confirmed that three Filipinos were killed while two others were injured in the attacks, with authorities verifying reports of Filipinos being held captive by Hamas. 26 Filipinos were rescued by Israeli security forces, while three Filipinos were unaccounted for.

A German-Israeli national, Shani Louk, was reportedly killed while attending the Re'im music festival; a video of Palestinians parading her near-naked body in a car was circulated on the internet, and her credit card was reportedly used subsequently in Gaza. She was later said to be alive but in "critical condition" in a hospital in Gaza. Several other German citizens were reported to be among those kidnapped by militants. At least 17 British citizens were reported as dead or missing, including one attendee of the music festival. 12 Ukrainians, a Cambodian student, and a Chilean woman were confirmed to have been killed by Hamas. 13 French citizens were killed, with an additional 17 missing, including four children.

At least 27 Americans were killed during the attacks and 14 others missing. Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs reported that two Mexican nationals were presumed to have been taken hostage by Hamas. One Brazilian national was reported as injured and three were reported missing. An Indian caregiver was injured by a rocket barrage in Ashkelon. The British embassy confirmed the death of a British national who attended the music festival.

Spanish foreign minister José Manuel Albares said two Spaniards were attacked without specifying their condition. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that an Italian-Israeli couple went missing in Be'eri. Two Tanzanian students were reported by their embassy to be missing. The Russian Embassy stated that four Russian nationals were killed and twelve others went missing following the attack. Four Argentinians were reported to have been killed and three were reported missing.

The Canadian government stated that three Canadians were killed, and that two other Canadians were missing. A Paraguayan couple was reported killed, with the government also reporting two nationals missing. An Irish attendee of the music festival was reported missing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru confirmed that a Peruvian-Israeli soldier was killed in action on the front line, while 3 remained missing. A Colombian couple attending the music festival was reported missing after the attack. The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that three Austrian-Israeli dual nationals had been captured, and that one of them had later been confirmed dead. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation confirmed that two citizens, including a dual national, were killed.

Journalists

At least six Palestinian journalists in Gaza were reported to have been killed by Israeli attacks while in the line of duty. Ibrahim Mohammad Lafi, a photographer for Ain Media, was fatally shot during the attack on the Erez crossing on 7 October, while Mohammad Jarghoun, a reporter with Smart Media, was killed east of Rafah on the same day. Freelance journalist Mohammad el-Salhi was also shot dead on the border east of Bureij refugee camp on 7 October. On 9 October, Saeed al-Taweel, editor-in-chief of Al-Khamsa News website, Mohammed Subh and Hisham Alnwajha were killed by an airstrike while filming an anticipated attack in Gaza City. Two other journalists were reported missing, and another was injured by shrapnel. The homes of two journalists were destroyed by shelling, and the offices of four media outlets were destroyed by airstrikes.

During clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border, an Israeli artillery strike on 13 October killed Reuters videographer Issam Abdallah and injured six other journalists from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and Al Jazeera.

In Israel, Roee Idan, a photographer for Ynet was reported missing and believed to have been taken hostage along with his three-year-old daughter, while his wife was killed, shortly after documenting Hamas's attack on Kfar Aza. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that on 7 October, a television crew from Sky News Arabia was assaulted, and their equipment damaged by Israeli police in Ashkelon, with correspondent Firas Lutfi saying that police aimed rifles at his head, forced him to undress and evicted them from the area under escort after confiscating their phones.

Health and aid workers

On 11 October the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that nine of their workers were killed in an Israeli air-strike on the Gaza strip and that the UNRWA headquarters was being targeted by Israel. It said a school sheltering more than 225 people was struck. 11 members of UNRWA and five members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies were killed in Gaza since the start of the fighting. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it had counted 16 medical personnel killed since 7 October.

MSF said a nurse and an ambulance driver were killed, and several others injured in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis and the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza City. A paramedic was reported to be in critical condition. The Indonesian Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) confirmed that a local staff member was killed near an operational MER-C vehicle.

Palestinians inspect the ruins of a destroyed residential building in Gaza City

Impacts

Humanitarian impact

In Gaza

Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance after being damaged by an Israeli airstrike

The United Nations said that the fighting had displaced more than 423,000 Palestinians, while Israeli airstrikes had destroyed 1,000 homes and rendered 560 housing units uninhabitable. It also said that Israeli actions had caused water shortages affecting 650,000 people.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that 15 ambulances and nine health institutions were targeted in Israeli attacks, including its headquarters, the Rimal Clinic and the International Eye Center. Medecins Sans Frontieres said it had counted 18 ambulances destroyed and eight medical facilities destroyed or damaged.

Following the shutdown of the Gaza Strip's only power station due to the lack of fuel caused by the Israeli blockade on 11 October, it was reported that hospitals in Gaza would run out of available fuel to power generators in three days.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement urging the swift and unobstructed delivery of essential life-saving provisions, such as fuel, sustenance, and clean water, into the Gaza Strip.

Egypt closed the border with Gaza to civilians fleeing it. It also said that it would allow aid to be delivered through its border with Gaza and designated El Arish International Airport in the Sinai Peninsula as a hub for international humanitarian aid to Gaza.

On 12 October, Jordan confirmed that it would send an aid airplane to Gaza, the first such flight since the start of the war; the plane was expected to land in Egypt before moving provisions to the Rafah border crossing. The aid included medical supplies. Hussein Al-Shibli, secretary-general of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, said it "aims to provide hospitals and entities working in the field with medical supplies to support the people of Gaza."

In Israel

A Magen David Adom ambulance was reportedly taken by Palestinian militants to Gaza during their attack on 7 October. The Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon was struck by a rocket on 8 October.

Rockets from Gaza struck a hospital in Ashkelon on 11 October.

Economics

The Israeli energy ministry ordered Chevron to temporarily shut down the offshore Tamar gas field.

On 8 October, Israel's TA-35 index fell by 6.47%, its largest loss since 2020. The value of the New Israeli Shekel fell by 1.63% to trade at 3.90 against the US dollar, its weakest showing in seven years. In response, the Bank of Israel announced on 9 October that it would sell up to $30 billion in foreign reserves to support and provide up to $15 billion in liquidity to the market through SWAP mechanisms. This was the Israeli central bank's first ever sale of foreign exchange.

War crimes

The International Criminal Court issued a statement on 10 October confirming that its 2014 mandate to investigate alleged war crimes committed in the State of Palestine extends to the current conflict.

The UN Human Rights Council said it had "clear evidence" of war crimes by both sides. A UN Commission to the Israel-Palestine conflict stated on 10 October that there is "clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed in the latest explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza, and all those who have violated international law and targeted civilians must be held accountable." On 12 October, independent United Nations experts condemned the "horrific crimes committed by Hamas" and said that Israel had resorted to "indiscriminate military attacks against the already exhausted Palestinian people of Gaza". They said that "This amounts to collective punishment. There is no justification for violence that indiscriminately targets innocent civilians, whether by Hamas or Israeli forces. This is absolutely prohibited under international law and amounts to a war crime."

By the Israeli government

Further information: Jabalia camp market airstrike and October 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip

See also: Allegations of war crimes against Israel

On 9 October, the Israeli defense minister stated that he had ordered a "complete siege" of the Gaza Strip, saying electricity, food, fuel and water would be cut off. On 10 October, The Palestinian envoy to the UN denounced the bombardment of Gaza and the announced siege, stating that such acts constitute war crimes. On 11 October, the Israeli power plant that supplies most of Gaza's power was shut down, with Israel barring the entry of fuel, food, water, and medicine into Gaza. Human Rights Watch stated that "Israeli authorities' cutting off electricity to Gaza and other punitive measures against Gaza's civilian population would amount to unlawful collective punishment, which is a war crime." Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said that "Israeli authorities must immediately restore Gaza’s electricity supply and suspend the increased restrictions imposed as a result of the Minister of Defence’s order" and "lift its illegal 16-year blockade on the Gaza Strip. The collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population amounts to a war crime – it is cruel and inhumane." Omar Shakir, the regional director of HRW, told CNN that the comments by Gallant to call for a complete siege were "abhorrent" and accused Israel of using starvation as "a weapon of war." The UN Human Rights Council stated that it was "gravely concerned with Israel's latest attack on Gaza and Israel's announcement of a complete siege on Gaza involving the withholding of water, food, electricity and fuel which will undoubtfully cost civilian lives and constitutes collective punishment." B'Tselem accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes against the people of Gaza, including the bombing of civilians, the closing of crossings, and the cutting of power and water supplies.

Human Rights Watch confirmed the use of white phosphorus munitions by Israel, saying such usage "violates the international humanitarian law prohibition on putting civilians at unnecessary risk." Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified that "Israeli military units striking Gaza are equipped with white phosphorus artillery rounds" although Israel has denied the allegation.

According to Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor Israel has committed "widespread crimes". The report documents direct attacks on various civilian infrastructure including universities, mosques, markets, banks, telecommunications companies, and residential towers as well as killing of journalists.

After Israel ordered millions of Palestinians to leave northern Gaza within 24 hours, Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, condemned the forcible evacuation order as a "crime against humanity and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law."

By Palestinian militant groups

Further information: Re'im music festival massacre, Netiv HaAsara attack, Be'eri massacre, and Kfar Aza massacre

See also: Palestinian political violence

According to Human Rights Watch, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups infiltrated homes, shot civilians en masse, and took scores of Israeli civilians as hostages into Gaza. It said that the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate attacks, and taking of civilians as hostages amount to war crimes under international humanitarian law. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International stated that Palestinian militants targeted Israeli civilians.

These actions have been described by legal experts as constituting war crimes, and likely crimes against humanity. The attack by Palestinian groups has been categorized by Israel's UN envoy as a war crime. The Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem called Hamas' killing of civilians and taking of hostages war crimes.

Negotiations

On 9 October, Reuters reported that Qatar was mediating talks between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of female Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 36 Palestinian women and children. However, Israel had not confirmed such negotiations were taking place.

An Egyptian official told the Associated Press that Israel sought Egyptian assistance to ensure the safety of hostages held by Palestinian militants, and that Egypt's intelligence chief contacted Hamas and Islamic Jihad to seek information. Egyptian officials were reportedly mediating the release of Palestinian women in Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli women captured by Palestinian militants.

Reactions

Reactions in Israel

Volunteers organizing deliveries for soldiers in Nesher

A center for collecting equipment for the residents of the south, Tel Aviv-Yafo

Following the Hamas attack on Israel, the protest group Kaplan Force cancelled its protest against the Israeli judicial reform scheduled on 7 October, extending support to the IDF amidst the crisis. Other protest groups like Forum 555 and Brothers in Arms also urged reservists to serve if called up.

Amidst the escalating violence, Magen David Adom initiated a blood donation drive and the Education Ministry closed schools on 7 October, transitioning to online learning from 15 October. Various events and performances were cancelled or postponed including the Haifa International Film Festival, a Bruno Mars concert, and football matches scheduled by UEFA.

Investigations were initiated into the failure of Israeli authorities to prevent the attack, with criticism targeted towards Prime Minister Netanyahu for his inability to foresee and prevent the crisis.

To support the war effort, El Al announced special flights to retrieve vital personnel from New York City and Bangkok on 13 October. Schools advised parents to have certain social media apps deleted from their children's phones to shield them from violent war-related media. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi acknowledged military failures in preventing the attacks on 12 October.

Emergency unity government

Main article: Israeli war cabinet

Among opposition parties, Yesh Atid leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz, Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Lieberman and Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli issued a joint statement expressing full backing for the IDF and unity with the government, saying: "In times like these, there is no opposition and coalition in Israel."

Netanyahu proposed that Yesh Atid and National Unity enter an emergency unity government with his Likud-led coalition, after Lapid urged Netanyahu "to put aside our differences and form an emergency, narrow, professional government". Lapid said that Israel could not effectively manage the war with "the extreme and dysfunctional composition of the current cabinet" and called upon Netanyahu to eject the far-right Religious Zionist Party and Otzma Yehudit parties as a condition for Yesh Atid to join an emergency unity government. The National Unity party met with Likud on 9 October to discuss a possible unity government.

On 11 October, an emergency unity government was formally announced between Likud and National Unity following a joint statement from the latter party, with Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and military chief of staff, joining a war cabinet also consisting of Netanyahu as Prime Minister and Yoav Gallant as Defence Minister. The statement said the unity government would not promote any policy or laws except those related to the ongoing fighting with Hamas. The war cabinet was approved by the Knesset on 12 October. It significantly reduces the influence of Netanyahu's previous far-right coalition partners over the conduct of the war, which was one of Gantz's demands. Haaretz reported that former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer would join the war cabinet as observers.

Reactions in Palestine

Gaza Strip

The Palestinian Education Ministry said schools in the Gaza Strip were closed until further notice. The Palestinian Health Ministry appealed for blood donations.

Some of the hostages taken by Hamas were publicly displayed in Gaza to displays of public support. Shani Louk, a German citizen captured from the Supernova music festival, was paraded by Hamas face down and stripped to her underwear on the back of a truck. People in the celebrating crowd shouted "Allah Akbar" and some, including a youth, spit on Louk. In another instance, an 85-year-old woman taken hostage was driven through the streets in a golf cart while the crowd cheered. Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri told Al Jazeera that its forces had taken enough Israeli hostages to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel in an exchange. Hamas spokesperson Abu Obaida said it was holding captured Israeli soldiers in "safe places" and tunnels.

A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad stated that they do not consider Israeli citizens to be civilians: "We are not killing civilians. This is a military society. They are the ones who elect their governments."

Hamas stated that it had abducted Israelis to secure the freedom of Palestinian prisoners, which are currently estimated to number between 4,499–5,200, including 170 children. Prisoner exchanges have long been practiced in the Arab–Israeli conflict. In 2006, Hamas captured Gilad Shalit, forcing Israel to release 1,000 Palestinians, some of whom had been convicted by Israel of terrorism, as part of a prisoner swap.

On 13 October the spokesperson for Palestine's interior ministry said Israel was "lying when saying they are targeting resistance [Hamas] infrastructure" and that "everyone in Gaza is a target".

Gaza City's mayor Yahya al-Sarraj urged the international community to "support the victims, support the Palestinians" saying that the Israeli blockade is "against the international law" in an interview.

West Bank

At an emergency meeting with officials of the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Palestinians had the right to defend themselves against the "terror of settlers and occupation troops". He later said that orders by Israel for residents to evacuate north Gaza would constitute a “second Nakba”.

Following the attack, celebrations occurred in Ramallah. Neighborhood watches were established in 50 locations amid fears of reprisals by Israeli settlers, while a general strike was called for 8 October. Seven Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli forces on 7 October, while 126 others were injured. Clashes on 8 October killed six more Palestinians.

Military aid to Israel

See also: Israel–United States military relations § Military aid and procurement

Hours after Hamas's attack, US President Joe Biden promised "rock-solid and unwavering" support to Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in an interview with ABC News, condemned Hamas's "massive terrorist attack" and stated, "We have immediately engaged our Israeli partners and allies. President Joe Biden was on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early yesterday to assure him of our full support." As Israel prepares to launch a possible ground invasion of Gaza, the Biden administration and leading members of Congress are preparing an aid package from the United States with about $2 billion in additional funding to support Israel, according to Time. On 12 October, Blinken went to Israel and met with its leaders as part of a visit that included upcoming meetings with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Germany sent two Heron TP drones to Israel.

The United Kingdom announced it would be deploying a Royal Navy Littoral Response Group consisting of two amphibious warfare ships, as well as P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft in a show of support to Israel.

Jewish diaspora

Throughout the world, Jewish communities, synagogues and Jewish institutions gathered for events of unity and solidarity with the Israeli people. Yeshiva University, a flagship Jewish university in the United States, held a night of song, prayer and unity, which included speeches from the university's President Rabbi Ari Berman, a dual American-Israeli citizen whose son was enlisted to join the war effort, and Rabbi Hershel Schachter, the Head of Yeshiva. These events came in the wake of a drastic rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe and concern over the wellbeing of North American Jews. In response to statements of support for Palestine from student groups at twenty prominent American universities, including Yale University and Harvard University, Berman called on university presidents to issue "moral clarity" in what he called "a battle against evil and terrorism."

Fears for Jewish safety in the Diaspora were escalated by the call for a "Global Day of Jihad" by former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal calling on Muslims to take to the streets and deliver a message of anger. Meshaal also urged Muslims in neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt to join the fight against Israel. Antisemitic discrimination was also reported and in Stanford University a lecturer forced Jewish students to physically go to the back of class, justified the actions of Hamas, called Jews "colonizers" and downplayed the holocaust.

Palestinian diaspora

Based in Qatar, former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called on Muslims worldwide to take to the streets and deliver a message of anger. He also urged Muslims in neighboring countries like Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt to join the fight against Israel.

American-Palestinian model Gigi Hadid wrote on Instagram: "While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person. The terrorizing of innocent people is not in alignment with & does not do any good for the 'Free Palestine' movement. The idea that it does has fueled a painful, decades-long cycle of back&forth retaliation."

Muslim world

Reaction from the Arab and Muslim world has generally been muted and confined to press statements. Hezbollah has offered token support to Hamas by providing some shelling and rocket attacks. However most of this has taken place in the Shebaa Farms, a small disputed parcel of land that has experienced low level conflict since 2000. Israel's relations with the Abraham Accord Countries have continued despite the conflict. Several Arab countries offered to send medical aid to Gaza via the border with Egypt. Egypt, despite having being pressed by the United States, refused to accept refugees from Gaza both for fear of security issues since Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups shares tie with militants in the Sinai, as well as for fear that a temporary refugee situation may turn permanent.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, who have either normalized relations with Israel or are on the path towards it, urged for a cessation of hostilities. However, some Arab League countries, such as Oman, Yemen, Qatar, and non-Arab countries like Iran and Pakistan expressed official support for the Palestinians, blaming the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories for the escalation of violence. The Arab League itself, as well Bahrain, and Egypt have called for an immediate halt to military operations to prevent further escalation.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry praised the military operations as a "spontaneous movement" of Palestinian resistance. Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, said he was proud of the militants. Hamas spokesman Ghazi Hamad told the BBC that Hamas had direct backing for the attack from Iran;, and European and Syrian officers corroborated Iran's involvement, while senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mirdawi said the group planned the attacks on its own.

Demonstrations took place in Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iran in solidarity with the Palestinian groups.

International

Main article: International reactions to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war

Further information: Evacuations during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and Protests on the 2023 Israel–Hamas war

From the left: Pro-Palestinian protest in Istanbul, Turkey • Pro-Israeli protest in Berlin, Germany

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the ongoing situation in Israel, 7 October 2023

International leaders, including from Argentina, India, the United States, and European countries condemned the attacks by Hamas, expressed solidarity with Israel, and said Israel has a right to defend itself from armed attacks and describing Hamas's tactics as terrorism. In a White House briefing, Biden expressed solidarity with Israel. The European Union announced it would review aid to Palestinian authorities to ensure the aid was not funding terrorism, and that no current aid payments were planned. Austria, Germany, and Sweden suspended humanitarian aid to Palestine in response to Hamas's attack and said that they would review other projects and aid given. The World Uyghur Congress released a statement condemning "horrific attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians".

Many countries hosted demonstrations both in solidarity with Israel and in solidarity with Palestinian groups. Argentina, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Uruguay stated that they would increase security in Jewish-associated sites in response to the attack. French authorities reported more than 100 antisemitic incidents across the country following the conflict, and provided additional security to National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and MP Meyer Habib after death threats relating to the conflict were made against them. France issued a ban on all demonstrations in support of Palestine. Despite the prohibition, almost 3,000-strong pro-Palestinian demonstrators demonstrated at Place de la République in Paris with the police making ten arrests and dispersing the crowd with water cannons. Supporters of both Palestine and Israel were on the streets of London to hold rallies and demonstrations.

Selected timeline

Gathering in support of Israel in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, 11 October 2023

On 8 October, the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting for 90 minutes on the conflict. The meeting concluded without the unanimity required for a joint statement to be released. Brazil announced a rescue operation of nationals using an air force transport aircraft. Poland announced that it would deploy two C-130 transport planes to evacuate 200 of its nationals from Ben-Gurion airport. Hungary evacuated 215 of its nationals from Israel using two aircraft on 9 October, while Romania evacuated 245 of its citizens, including two pilgrimage groups, on two TAROM planes and two private aircraft on the same day. Australia also announced repatriation flights. 300 Nigerian pilgrims in Israel fled to Jordan before being airlifted home.

On 10 October, Josep Borrell, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, stated, "Some of the actions [by Israel]—and the United Nations has already said it—cutting water, cutting electricity, cutting food to a mass of civilian people, is against international law. So yes, there are some actions that are not in accordance with international law."

On 12 October, the United Kingdom arranged flights for its citizens in Israel; the first plane departed Ben Gurion Airport that day. The government had said before that there wouldn't be evacuating its nationals due to available commercial flights. However, the flights were commercial.

Disinformation

A photograph was released appearing to show Major General Nimrod Aloni, the commander of the IDF Depth Corps, being held by Palestinians in the early hours of the attack. Hamas also claimed to have captured him. A Persian language post by the IDF quoted a post about his capture from Tasnim News Agency and wrote "Tasnim: Distributors of fake news of IRGC" without either denying or confirming the capture of Aloni. Aloni was subsequently seen on 8 October attending a meeting of top Israeli military officials.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting published images of the capture of commanders of Nagorno-Karabakh by the Azerbaijani army in September 2023 as the capture of Israeli commanders by Hamas.

On social media

On 9 October, X (formerly known as Twitter) said there were more than 50 million posts on the platform about the conflict. Disinformation about the war spread on social media platforms, particularly X. On 10 October, researchers found that a network of 67 X accounts was coordinating a campaign of pushing false information about the war.

The European Union warned Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg that X and Meta were hosting disinformation and illegal content about the war, with potential fines of up to 6% of the companies' global revenue. Musk recommended two accounts that previously promoted a false claim about an explosion near the Pentagon for updates about the war. In response to the reports, X's CEO Linda Yaccarino told EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton that it had "taken action to remove or label tens of thousands of pieces of content" and removed hundreds of accounts linked to Hamas. On 13 October, the EU opened an investigation into X about the spread of disinformation and terrorist content related to the war.

The community fact-checking system of X, Community Notes, also contributed to disinformation. Wired cited an incident where a video uploaded by Donald Trump Jr. of Hamas shooting at Israelis was inaccurately tagged as a false video from several years ago as an example of the unreliability of Community Notes. The mistake was caused due to the recent video being listed in the related videos list of the older videos on the Iranian social media platform Wisgoon, causing it to show the thumbnail with older years in search engines. By simply entering the site, Wired confirmed that the video was uploaded on "5 Mehr 1402" in the Persian calendar (7 October 2023) and independent OSINT analysts confirmed the authenticity of the video.

Viral claims that the IDF had destroyed Gaza's Church of Saint Porphyrius were debunked by the church. Far-right commentator Ian Miles Cheong posted a video of Israeli law enforcement that he claimed to show Palestinian militants killing Israeli citizens. Other videos falsely linked to the war included a video of children in cages posted on 4 October, footage from 2020 of Iranian lawmakers chanting "Death to America" and footage from video game Arma 3 being presented as Israeli war footage. Fake accounts pretending to be a BBC journalist and The Jerusalem Post promoted false information about the war prior to X suspending them.

A fake memo that purported to show Biden authorizing $8 billion in aid to Israel circulated on social media and was cited in articles by Indian news outlets Firstpost and Oneindia. Social media users on both sides of the war shared a scene of an actor lying in fake blood from a 2022 Palestinian short film, alleging it was evidence that the other side was creating propaganda.

Disinformation experts uncovered an account on X that published false reports about Qatar threatening to cut off its gas exports if Israel continued to bombard the Gaza Strip.

In Egypt, photos of the Cairo Tower appearing to be lit with the Palestinian flag spread on social media, which turned out to be a modified version of the tower in 2010.

Unconfirmed eye-witness reports

Unverified information has been quickly published and spread during the conflict, through social media, politicians, and mainstream news outlets. While some stories have had follow-up information that clarifies or adds context to the original posted story, it has taken time due to the widespread conflict and lack of returning audience to read or hear the additional information.

Reports of Hamas beheading babies were reported by a range of news organizations on 10 October, after an i24 News reporter interviewed members of the Israel Defense Force, at the scene of the Kfar Aza massacre, who reported seeing babies whose heads had been cut off. CBS News later interviewed Yossi Landau, regional head of the first responder organisation ZAKA, who claimed that both babies and minors had been beheaded alongside corpses of dismembered adults. The IDF stated to Insider that they would not investigate the allegation further, citing that it would be "disrespectful for the dead" to do so. The government of Israel later posted photos of dead babies that they said were killed in the attack. The Jerusalem Post stated that these images confirmed that babies were decapitated, while NBC News stated that no photographic evidence that babies were decapitated was provided. US President Joe Biden claimed to have seen photographic evidence, though the White House later denied this, clarifying that he was referring to media reports and statements by Netanyahu. Comments from Israeli officials and media have walked back or softened on the claims. In addition, CNN backtracked and reported that claims of beheading could not be confirmed.

Reports of rape and sexual violence against Israeli women were reported, notably during the Re'im music festival massacre. Reports in Tablet, PBS NewsHour, the Hindustan Times, and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency were sourced to named and anonymous eye-witnesses present at the massacre. However, as of 11 October, Yuval Shany wrote it was too soon to know whether there had been a pattern of sexual assault, as there had not yet been time to formally take testimonies from victims and witnesses. These reports of sexual violence were repeated by Israeli officials and by President Biden. The White House clarified the latter statement relied on official Israeli statements and news reports.

Analysis

The initial attack marked a notable escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, standing out for the scale and reach of both rocket fire and border attacks around Gaza. This was a significant departure from prior conflicts, which typically followed a phased progression with a gradual escalation of tensions. It has been compared to the 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, the 1968 Tet Offensive, 1973 Yom Kippur War, the 2001 September 11 attacks, and the 2003 Ramadan Offensive. Like the Tet Offensive, Hamas's attack came on the morning of a holiday, seemed to be "everywhere at once", and demonstrated capabilities not thought possible in a guerrilla force.

Effect on Palestinian factions

According to Daniel Byman and Alexander Palmer, the attack showcased the decline of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the rise of Hamas as a power center in Palestinian politics. They predicted the PLO's further decline if the status quo held. Laith Alajlouni wrote that the immediate effect of the Hamas offensive was to unite Hamas and PLO. However it may soon lead to conflict between them, possibly leading the PLO losing control of the security situation in the West Bank, if more militant groups there begin to launch their own independent attacks.

With global attention on Hamas, Emile Hokayem wrote that Turkey and Qatar, which have privileged relations with Hamas, may be accused of overly indulging Hamas and being tarnished by association.

John Raine wrote that Hamas risks being decimated by the Israeli response, in which case Iran and Hezbollah would have to decide how to respond to requests for military intervention.

Context of the Israeli occupation

Palestinians killed before this war. Most were civilians.

Israelis killed before this war. Most were civilians.

Analysts stressed that the Palestinian attacks came in the context of the Israeli occupation. Stephen M. Walt wrote that Palestinians feel they have no choice but to use force in response to Israel's decades long treatment of Palestinians. The Hindu wrote that the Israeli occupation was "the longest in modern history" and created a "fuming volcano". The Associated Press wrote that Palestinians are "in despair over a never-ending occupation in the West Bank and suffocating blockade of Gaza". ABC News reported the August 2023 UNRWA figures for Gaza of 81% of people living below the poverty level, and 63% being food insecure and dependent on international assistance. ABC News also reported the UN OCHAoPt numbers of roughly 6,400 Palestinians and 300 Israelis killed in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2008 through September 2023, before this war.

Roger Cohen wrote that the increasing Israeli control over millions of Palestinians "incubated bloodshed". Prior to the attack, Saudi Arabia had warned Israel of an "explosion" as a result of the continued occupation, Egypt had warned of a catastrophe unless there was political progress, and similar warnings were given by Palestinian Authority officials. Less than two months before the attacks, King Abdullah II of Jordan lamented that Palestinians have "no civil rights; no freedom of mobility". Cohen wrote that many Israelis assumed the Palestinian question had become a nonissue, and it had disappeared from the global agenda.

Simon Tisdall pointed to the uptick in Israeli–Palestinian violence in 2023 as portending war, and claimed that Netanyahu refused to negotiate the peace process, adding fuel to the fire, and the rights of Palestinians were ignored. Yousef Munayyer wrote that the Biden administration had ignored the Palestinian issue. As late as 29 September, Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor, proclaimed that "the Middle East region is quieter today than it has been in two decades."

According to an analysis in The Independent, the blockade on Gaza created hopelessness among Palestinians, which was exploited by Hamas, convincing young Palestinian men that violence was the only solution. Daoud Kuttab writes that Palestinian attempts to solve the conflict via negotiations or non-violent boycotts have been fruitless. For The Times of Israel, Tal Schneider wrote: "For years, the various governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu took an approach that divided power between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank—bringing Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to his knees while making moves that propped up the Hamas terror group. The idea was to prevent Abbas—or anyone else in the Palestinian Authority's West Bank government—from advancing toward the establishment of a Palestinian state."

Israeli intelligence failure

Political journalist Peter Beaumont described the attack as "an intelligence failure for the ages" on the part of the Israeli government. The Jewish News Syndicate deemed it a "failure of imagination". A BBC report on the intelligence failure noted that "it must have taken extraordinary levels of operational security by Hamas." US officials expressed shock at how Israeli intelligence appeared to be unaware of any preparations by Hamas. Israeli officials later anonymously reported to Axios that the IDF and Shin Bet had detected abnormal movements by Hamas the day before the attack, but decided to wait for additional intelligence before raising the military's alert level. They also did not inform political leaders of the intelligence reports.

Amir Avivi, former deputy commander of the Gaza Division of Israel's military, told the Financial Times it was "a failure that is no smaller than the Yom Kippur War." Yaakov Amidror, a former National Security Advisor to Netanyahu, said the attack proved their intelligence abilities in Gaza "were no good". An unnamed Egyptian intelligence official told the Associated Press that "[Egypt] warned them an explosion of the situation is coming, and very soon, and it would be big. But they underestimated such warnings." This story was corroborated by Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, who said the warnings were made three days before the attack.

Sources in Hamas and Israel's military establishment told Reuters the attack was the culmination of a years-long campaign by Hamas to deceive Israel into thinking that the group was primarily interested in economic and governance issues instead of fighting. An IDF colonel anonymously told Middle East Eye that intelligence units had detected Hamas training activities but misjudged their intent; they assessed these would be used in a series of separate attacks, rather than a large combined one.

On 11 October, Ynet reported that Egypt's Director of the General Intelligence Directorate, Abbas Kamel, made a personal phone call to Netanyahu ten days prior to the initial attack warning that individuals in Gaza were expected to do "something unusual, a terrible operation." Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger voiced his opinion that Hamas fighters were able to carry out their attack due to "institutional complacency" in Israel. Netanyahu described the reports as "absolutely false" and "fake news".

Effect on the Netanyahu government

Amit Segal, chief political commentator for Israel's Channel 12, said that the conflict would test Benjamin Netanyahu's survival as prime minister, noting that past wars had toppled the governments of several of his predecessors such as that of Golda Meir following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Menachem Begin following the 1982 Lebanon War, and Ehud Olmert following the 2006 Lebanon War. Prior to the formation of an emergency unity government on 11 October, Politico described the then-potential move as Netanyahu's opportunity to correct his course and save his political legacy. Citing the Israeli intelligence failure, which some observers attributed to the incumbent government focusing more on internal dissent, the judicial reform, and efforts to deepen Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, some commentators criticized Netanyahu for putting aside the PLO and propping up Hamas, and described him as a liability.

Effect on Israeli–Saudi Arabian normalization

In an analysis by The Times of Israel, the newspaper wrote that "Hamas has violently shifted the world's eyes back to the Palestinians and dealt a severe blow to the momentum for securing a landmark US-brokered deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia." The New York Times reported that the prospects of Israeli and Saudi normalization appeared dimmer, citing Saudi Arabia's statement that the country had repeatedly warned "of the dangers of the explosion of the situation as a result of the continued occupation, the deprivation of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights and the repetition of systemic provocations against its sanctities."

Andreas Kluth wrote in his Bloomberg News column that Hamas "torched Biden's deal to remake the Middle East", arguing that the deal that was being discussed between Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States would have left Palestinians in the cold, so the group decided to "blow the whole thing up." He added that, viewed from Gaza, things were only going to get worse, considering that Netanyahu's coalition partners opposed a two-state solution for the conflict. He suggested they would prefer to annex the entirety of the West Bank, even at the expense of turning Israel into an apartheid state, something critics have long claimed as Israel's goal.

Speculation arose that Iran was trying to sabotage relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, with former head of research for Shin Bet Neomi Neumann saying the attack could have been timed in part due to Iran's hopes to scuttle efforts to normalize relations between Israel and its Sunni rival. On 9 October, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denied claims of Tehran's involvement in Hamas's attack.

Regional spillover threats

Main article: Iran–Israel proxy conflict

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, speculated the war would spread to Jerusalem and the West Bank. Hashim Safi Al Din, Head of Hezbollah's Executive Council, echoed these sentiments. Max Abrahms, a political scientist at Northeastern University, opined that the conflict could escalate into a war between Israel and Iran.

Effect on the Russo-Ukrainian War

See also: Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict, Israel–Russia relations, and Israel–Ukraine relations

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the war between Israel and Hamas could divert attention from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian president Vladimir Putin declared the war "a clear example of the failure of United States policy in the Middle East", adding that Washington had consistently failed to take into account the fundamental interests of Palestinians. Russian commentators close to the Kremlin characterized the war as a military and intelligence failure of the West, predicting it would sap Western support for Ukraine. The New York Times stated that Russia's relations with Israel were deteriorating, driven in part by Western support for Ukraine and Iran's continued support for Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Politico wrote that it was a foregone conclusion that the war would divert US attention from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence accused Russia of transferring Western-made weapons captured in Ukraine to Hamas in order to blame Ukraine for selling them.

See also

• Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in 2023
• Outline of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
• List of wars involving Israel
• List of wars involving the State of Palestine

External links

• Escalation in the Gaza Strip and Israel | OCHA Flash Update #1 as of 18:00, 7 October 2023
• OCHA Escalation in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #2
• OCHA Escalation in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #3
• Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #4
• Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #5
• UNRWA Gaza Situation Report #4
• UNRWA Gaza Situation Report #5
• Hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Israel | Flash Update #6