Hamas against Israel: Details of the biggest terrorist attack of 2023

In the early hours of October 7, 2023, at around 6:30 a.m. local time, the militant group Hamas announced the launch of a military operation codenamed “Al-Aqsa Flood.”

This was the beginning of one of the most devastating and large-scale attacks on Israel in its history. During the first attack, between 2,500 and over 5,000 rockets were fired from Gaza, killing at least five people within minutes. Explosions rocked several areas including Tel Aviv, Ashkelon, Beer Sheva and Jerusalem, triggering widespread air raid sirens.

However, the rocket fire was only the first phase of the attack. In the following hours, around 2,500 Hamas fighters, equipped with advanced weapons such as drones and remote-controlled machine guns, entered Israeli territory using various means of transport, including trucks and paramotors. They entered kibbutzim and towns near the Gaza border and attacked military bases. Fighters from other Palestinian terrorist organizations such as the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine also took part in the attack.

Israel briefly lost control of several key border crossings, including the Erez and Kerem Shalom checkpoints. At sea, militants landed near the beach of Kibbutz Zikim, where 60 terrorists were eliminated by the Israeli Navy. However, Hamas managed to capture the Nahal Oz military base, killing two soldiers and capturing six others.

Israel’s counterattack was swift. The government declared the launch of Operation Iron Swords, which involved calling up reservists and carrying out massive airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza. On October 8 and 10, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) successfully thwarted further infiltration attempts and eliminated militants attempting to enter Israel via Zikim Beach.

The extent of the attacks and victims


October 7th will go down in history as one of the bloodiest days in modern Israel. It is estimated that around 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attacks, including 779 civilians, including 38 children. Another 3,400 people were injured to varying degrees. This attack is considered the deadliest terrorist attack against Jews since the Holocaust and one of the largest terrorist attacks in the world, second only to the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Many of the victims died in massacres by militants in border kibbutzim and at a music festival in Re’im where 364 people were killed. The horrors of the attack shocked Israeli society: children were among the victims, and many bodies were mutilated or burned. Israeli and international human rights organizations and legal experts have classified these acts as war crimes and genocide.

Private initiative and heroism

In addition to the Army’s efforts, civilians played a critical role in repelling the attack. At Kibbutz Nir Am, 25-year-old Inbal Rabin-Lieberman organized a defense that resulted in the elimination of 25 terrorists and saved the kibbutz from significant casualties. Former IDF officers Adar and Itay at Kibbutz Kfar Aza also fought against terrorists, and although both were killed, they managed to neutralize seven attackers. These heroic deeds have become symbols of Israelis’ strength and determination in the fight against terror.

International reaction and further escalation

The massive Hamas attack sparked widespread reactions around the world. Western countries, including the United States, Britain, France and Germany, strongly condemned Hamas’ actions and expressed support for Israel. Meanwhile, several Arab nations, particularly Iran and Syria, expressed support for Hamas and blamed Israel for the violence. The incident also heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in the north, leading to rocket attacks on Israeli territory and Israeli military retaliation.

The year following the events of October 7, 2023 was a time of intense conflict and fighting for Israel and its allies. The memories of those tragic days continue to shape the country’s policies and strategies and influence international perceptions of the conflict.

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