The most Jews killed in one day since the Holocaust
What we know so far
**Updated at 11pm EST on Oct 8, 2023**
On October 7, 2023, Hamas perpetrated the worst terror attack in the history of modern Israel.
As of the afternoon of October 8, 2023, it is the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history, and the largest number of Jews murdered in one day since the Holocaust.
Beginning in the morning of October 7, 2023 - Shabbat and Shmini Atzeret - Hamas began to launch thousands of rockets at Israel. Under the cover of those rockets, approximately 1,000 terrorists infiltrated Israel, and wreaked utter havoc on Israeli communities near Gaza.
The following is a brief summary of what we know so far:
Caught off-guard: Tragically, Israel was caught entirely off-guard by this attack, incapable of stopping the infiltration into Israel, and incapable of stopping the rampage on Israeli communities. At least 22 Israeli locations were infiltrated, including towns, villages, kibbutzim, and military bases.
How they did it: From videos released by Hamas, they were able to infiltrate Israel by bombing Israeli observation towers and weapons systems using drones. They then fired hundreds of rockets into Israel proper, while terrorists on paragliders flew over the border. Afterwards, they blew holes in the fence using large explosive devices, and hundreds of terrorists streamed through into Israel on foot, trucks, and motorcycles.
Dead: At least 600 Israeli civilians have been murdered, and the number is expected to climb significantly. As the terror infiltrators made their way into Israel, they executed civilians point blank, firing at cars and dragging bodies out, approaching bus stops and executing civilians, and knocking on doors, killing those who answered.
Music Festival: A desert-rave (music party) that had been going all night, was attacked from all directions by militants early in the morning. At least 260 attendees were murdered when militants sprayed bullets into the crowd. Many of those attendees were kidnapped by militants, and taken back to Gaza as hostages. Footage is circulating of victims being taken back to Gaza on motorbike.
Kidnapped: At least 100 (though likely more) Israeli civilians and soldiers have been kidnapped, held hostage in Gaza. This includes many elderly and infirm men and women, foreign caregivers, men and women, and children. Many images have surfaced of children being held captive in Gaza, kidnapped with their parents. Videos have circulated online of elderly women being taken back to Gaza on motorcycles, of teenagers being herded into and out of ambulances and jeeps, and children being held in cages (though we have not yet been able to verify those videos), being taunted by their captors. 11 Thai nationals are apparently being held, as well as several Nepali caregivers who were kidnapped with those they were caring for. Many Israelis identified pictures of their friends and loved ones on propaganda pictures and videos put out by Hamas.
Injured: As of Sunday afternoon, there are at least 2,150 Israelis injured.
Children left alone: After IDF forces arrived in Southern Israel, many children were found alone in their homes, some whose parents were murdered, while others whose parents were kidnapped, taken to Gaza.
Fires set to home: In some cases, Hamas militants set fire to homes, and when the inhabitants ran out of their homes, they were immediately executed.
Territory controlled by Hamas: As of Sunday afternoon, there still appears to be some Israeli territory under Hamas control. Firefights waged through the night, but there are still Hamas militants present in Israeli territory.
Stuck in homes: Throughout the day Saturday and Sunday, many Israelis were still stuck in their homes, hiding in their bomb shelters and safe rooms, hoping that a terrorist did not appear at their door or that a rocket did not land nearby.
Iran: Many pundits speculated on Saturday that Hamas could not have pulled off this attack on their own. In a public rally on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Izzuddin Al-Qassam Brigates, Abu Obaidah, said, “We thank the Islamic Republic of Iran who provided us with weapons, money and other equipment. He gave us missiles to destroy Zionist fortresses, and helped us with standard anti-tank missiles.” Iran bears a direct responsibility for what happened. On Sunday evening, this was confirmed by the Wall Street Journal.
Hezbollah: Saturday afternoon, the United Nations Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) withdrew from their positions along the Blue Line (border between Israel and Lebanon). This sparked concerns that Hezbollah and Lebanon were considering joining in the attack against Israel and its Northern communities. Though several mortars were fired into Israeli territory from Lebanon, no full-scale attack has started yet.
Attacks in Gaza: Over the last two days, the IDF has conducted significant military operations in Gaza, and are preparing for a massive escalation. Details of those attacks are provided below, courtesy of the IDF. On Sunday afternoon, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out a major attack against Hamas assets in the northern Gaza Strip. More than 50 fighter jets targeted 120 sites in the Beit Hanoun neighborhood, demolishing Hamas assembly areas used to launch attacks against Israel.
Support for Hamas abroad: In the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, and Canada, there have already been rallies and public displays of support for Hamas, for carrying out these barbaric attacks against civilians. It is expected that these shows of support will grow and continue, especially as Israel begins a full-scale assault against Hamas in Gaza. In New York, anti-Israel activists applauded the Hamas operation, shouting “700” (referring to the reported number of Israeli dead) while in Times Square.
Egypt: On Sunday, an Egyptian police officer opened fire at a tour bus filled with Israelis in Alexandria, killing at least two. Israel has now warned its citizens to leave Egypt, and not to travel to other Middle Eastern countries with travel warnings.
Evacuations: On Sunday afternoon, the IDF said it was evacuating civilians from Nahal Oz, Erez, Nir Am, Mefalsim, Kfar Aza, Gevin, Or Haner, Ibim, Netiv Ha’asara, Yad Mordechai, Karmia, Zikim, Kerem Shalom, Kissufim, Holit, Sufa, Nirim, Nir Oz, Ein Hashlosha, Nir Yitzchak, Be’eri, Magen, Re’im, Sa’ad, and Alumim.
International support: At least 84 countries have released statements supporting Israel, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Unity Government: Talks are apparently progressing between political parties in Israel, including those led by Gantz and Liberman, to potentially join a national unity government to lead the country through a war.
Below, is an approximate timeline of what has unfolded over the last two days from a military perspective.
We will endeavour to update this as the situation unfolds.
October 7, 2023:
6:30am: sirens sound in Central and Southern Tel Aviv as a massive rocket barrage (which would soon become over 5,000 rockets) were launched from the Gaza Strip into sovereign Israeli territory;
7:40am: reports that terrorists have infiltrated into Israel from Gaza. It was later determined to be approximately 1,000 militants who stormed into Israel by land, air (using paragliders), and from the water.
8:15am: sirens sounding in Jerusalem, as rockets begin to hit the ground, overwhelming Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.
8:23am: the IDF declared a state of war. The IDF called in Israeli civilians to remain inside their homes, as rockets and terrorists continue to infiltrate into Israel.
10:34am: Israel declares the start of “Operation Swords of Iron.”
12:21pm: Continuous red alert sirens sound throughout southern Israel. In the meantime, Hamas combatants walk into Israeli towns and settlements, and begin to execute civilians. In some cases, they drive around shooting at civilians, others go to Israeli houses, knocking on doors, and killing the inhabitants. They attack bus stations, cars driving past, executing anyone in sight. They also begin to kidnap Israelis, taking them back into Gaza, dead or alive. Israel begins to bombard targets within Gaza.
1:46pm: IDF fighter jets strike Hamas terror targets in Gaza, destroying 17 military compounds, and 4 operational command centres belonging to Hamas.
2:48pm: As the IDF continues to strike targets in Gaza, they are arriving to manage combat in at least 20 residential locations. They are trying to reinforce areas, and eliminate terrorists as they seem them. They have also started a wide mobilization of reserve forces.
4:56pm: IDF Navy thwarts dozens of terror attacks in the maritime area, killing many terrorists trying to infiltrate Israel from the sea. Earlier in the morning they had conducted a naval pursuit of terrorists who had tried to enter Israel, eliminating them. Dozens of terrorists were neutralized.
6:30pm: IDF struck additional Hamas military infrastructure in Gaza, which had been deliberately placed in civilian centres.
7:11pm: IDF and ground forces neutralized hundreds of terrorists in civilian areas in Southern Israel. Two IDF aircraft neutralized terrorists attempting to infiltrate the security fence near the Karni crossing. Nine terrorists were killed near Kibbutz Nirim, and four neutralized near the Erez Crossing and at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
9:23: IDF fighter jets struck military infrastructure in multiple buildings in Gaza used by senior Hamas operatives.
11:22pm: The Commanding Officer of the Nahal Brigade, COL Jonathan Steinberg, was killed during a confrontation with a terrorist.
The fighting continued on October 8:
Overnight, the IDF continued to strike Gaza and at Hamas terror targets. They killed a terror cell spotted trying to infiltrate Israel by sea through the Zikim Beach, and destroyed an operational command centre belonging to Islamic Jihad.
2:24am: Sirens continued to sound throughout the night as rocket fire continued from Gaza. The entire area under the responsibility of the Gaza Division was declared a closed military zone. IDF ground forces begin to arrive at the front lines of Gaza, for an as-yet unknown military operation.
7:27am: IDF artillery begins striking an area in Lebanon in response to a shooting carried out from that location. The IDF is reinforcing the Northern Border in the event Hezbollah opts to attack Israel.
9:00am: IDF forces neutralize five terrorists hiding at Zikim Beach, trying to infiltrate Israel.
10:34am: Israel continues to strike targets belonging to Hamas in Gaza.
11:46am: an IAF UAV struck several terror squads throughout Gaza. Terrorists approaching the security fence in Northern Gaza were neutralized, and 7 terrorists were killed at Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Six terrorists were neutralized next to the Nahal Oz IDF post, and two terror squads trying to infiltrate Kibbutz Be’eri from the north and south were eliminated.
1:14pm: Israeli navy continues to thwart attempts to infiltrate Israel from the sea. Dozens of Hamas boats have been eliminated, and overnight 5 vessels belonging to Hamas tried to infiltrate Israel, and were destroyed.
6:34pm: IDF jets struck 120 terror targets over three rounds in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. A Hamas operational terror tunnel was struck, located under a multi-storey building in the north of Gaza City.
10:26pm: The IDF struck in Shuja'iyya. Dozens of fighter jets struck 150 targets. Shuja'iyya is used as a "terror nest" for the Hamas terrorist organization. In parallel, terror infrastructure in the residence of Farah Hamed, a senior operative belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization, was targeted. The site was located adjacent to a mosque and three schools, which demonstrates that the Hamas terrorist organization takes advantage of holy sites and civilians to advance terror operations.
11:30pm: IDF soldiers opened fire at several terrorists who shot at communities in northern Samaria (the area of the Menashe Brigade) and neutralized them. The soldiers apprehended one of the wounded terrorists. Several improvised explosive devices were found inside the trunk of the motorcycle used by the terrorists.
So far, the IDF have released the names of at least 57 soldiers killed fighting in Southern Israel.
Col. Jonathan Steinberg, 42, the commander of the Nahal Brigade, from Shomria.
Lt. Col. Sahar Machluf, 36, the commander of the 481st Signal Battalion, from Modiin.
Maj. Chen Buchris, 26, the deputy commander of Maglan, from Ashdod.
Cpt. Adir Ovadi, 23, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Modiin.
Cpt. Yotam Ben Bassat, 24, a commander in the Multidimensional Unit, from Bat Hefer.
Lt. Or Moses, 22, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Ashdod.
Lt. Yiftah Yaabetz, 23, a commander in Maglan, from Ramat Hasharon.
Lt. Menashe Yoav Maliev, 19, an officer in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Kiryat Ono.
Lt. Or Yosef Ran, 29, a commander in Duvdevan, from Itamar.
Lt. (res.) Ido Edri, 24, an infantry officer, from Givaton.
2nd Lt. Adar Ben Simon, 20, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Neve Ziv.
2nd Lt. Yanai Kaminka, 20, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Tzur Hadassah.
Sgt. First Class Amir Fisher, 22, a Duvdevan soldier, from Tel Aviv.
Staff Sgt. Ofir Tzioni, 21, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Yokne’am Illit.
Staff Sgt. Omri Niv Feirstein, 20, a Home Front Command soldier, from Givatayim.
Staff Sgt. Yuval Ben Yaakov, 21, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Kfar Menahem.
Staff Sgt. Ido Harush, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Mitzpe Ramon.
Sgt. Or Asto, 21, a logistics NCO in Golani, from Beersheba.
Sgt. Ofek Rosental, 20, a Maglan soldier, from Kfar Menahem.
Sgt. Eden Alon Levi, 19, a commander in the Home Front Command, from Nirit.
Cpl. Dvir Lisha, 21, a Golani soldier, from Nitzan.
Cpl. Guy Bazak, 19, a Golani soldier, from Givatayim.
Cpl. Netanel Yang, 20, a Golani soldier from Tel Aviv.
Cpl. Adi Gurman, 19, a Unit 414 soldier.
Pvt. Neria Aharon Nagiri, 18, a Home Front Command soldier, from Talmon.
Pvt. Naama Buni, 19, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade.
Col. Roi Levy, 44, the commander of the Multidimensional Unit (Maglan), from Shavei Tzion.
Lt. Col. Yonatan Tzur, 33, the commander of the Nahal Reconnaissance Battalion, from Kedumim.
Maj. Avraham Hovlashvili , 26, an officer in Caracal, from Ashdod.
Maj. Ido Yehoshua, 27, an Israeli Air Force instructor.
Maj. (res.) Omri Michaeli, 35, a Duvdevan soldier, from Nes Tziona.
Cpt. Arye Shlomo Tsering, 27, an Oketz officer, from Raanana.
Lt. Shoham Tomer, 23, a Nahal officer, from Srigim.
Lt. Itay Maor, 23, a Golani officer, from Rosh Haayin.
Lt. Rom Shlomi, 23, a Shaldag officer, from Ganot.
Sgt. First Class Vitaly Shipkevich, 21, an Egoz soldier, from Ariel.
Staff Sgt. Ilay Gamzu, 20, a paratrooper, from Ashdod.
Staff Sgt. Ohad Cohen, 20, a Shaldag soldier, from Idan.
Sgt. Itay-El Marciano, 20, a paratrooper, from Shoham.
Cpl. Itamar Ayish, 19, a Home Front Command soldier, from Kiryat Gat.
Cpl. Ori Loker, 19, a Golani soldier, from Pardes Hana-Karkur.
Cpl. Yaron Zahar, 19, a Golani soldier, from Kiryat Ata.
Pvt. Ofir Davidian, 18, a logistics soldier in the Home Front Command, from Patish.
Cpt. Tal Grushka, 25, a Nahal officer, from Kfar Saba.
1st Sgt. Vitaly Karisik, 38, from Ashkelon.
and 1st Sgt. Alon Barad, 38, from Beersheba.
Maj. Amir Skuri, 31, a Sayeret Matkal soldier, from Jerusalem.
Maj. Ariel Ben Moshe, 27, a Sayeret Matkal commander.
Lt. Shilo Cohen, 24, a Shaldag soldier, from Sderot.
Warrant Officer Ido Rosental, 45, a Shaldag soldier, from Beit She’an.
First Sgt. Aharon Farash, 36, a logistics NCO, from Ofakim.
Staff Sgt. Roi Weiser, 21, a Golani soldier, from Efrat.
Staff Sgt. Adir Gauri, 20, a Sayeret Matkal soldier, from Jerusalem.
Staff Sgt. Guy Simchi, 20, a Paratrooper, from Gedera.
Staff Sgt. Or Mizrahi, 21, a Nahal soldier, from Petah Tikva.
Cpl. Ariel Eliyahu, 19, a soldier in the 7th Armored Brigade, from Mitzpe Yeriho.
Cpl. Danit Cohen, 19, a soldier in the IDF Southern Command.
Cpl. Amit Gueta, 21, a Maglan soldier, from Rehovot.
The names and ranks of 34 Israel Police Officers died yesterday are as follows:
Chief Superintendent Ge-ar Davidov, commander of the Rahat station
Chief Superintendent Yitzhak Bazuka Shvili, commander of the Segev Shalom station
Superintendent Vadim Blich, a commander in the coordination of enforcement operations unit
Superindentent Martin Kozmichekis, commander in the coordination of enforcement operations unit
Superintendent Shlomo Moshe El, officer in the Yamam counter-terror unit
Superintendent Nisim Lugasi, deputy commander of a Magav unit
Superintendent Amin Ohonadov, squad commander in the Yoav unit
Chief Inspector Stas Shainkman, a member of the Yamam counter-terror unit
Inspector Andrei Poshivi, town station patrol officer
Inspector Alexei Shamkov, officer in the Yamam counter-terror unit
Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Meir Abragil, Sderot station investigation coordinator
Sergeant Major Chen Nahmias, sniper in the Yamam counter-terror unit
Sergeant Major Roman Gendel, instructor in the Lotar counter-terror unit
Sergeant Major Yehuda Kedar, non-commisioned officer Border Police officer at the Eshkol Ein Habsor station
Sergeant Major Roni Avuharon, detective at the Rahat station
Sergeant Major Adir Shlomo, head of logistics at the Sderot station
Sergeant Major Yigal Iluz, bomb sapper
Sergeant Major Denis Belkin, a patrolman at the Sderot station
First Sergeant Bar Sivan, fighter in the Yamam counter-terror unit
First Sergeant Alon Barad, investigator at the Rahat station,
First Sergeant Alexei Borodovsky, Negev Yasam patrol unit
First Sergeant Vitaly Karsik, forensics department crime scene investigator, Tel Aviv Region
First Sergeant Alec Pozniakov, detective in the Magen unit
First Sergeant Melik Karim, investigator at the Beersheba station
First Sergeant Yoram Eliyahu Cohen, fighter in the Yamam counter-terror unit
First Sergeant Dvora Avraham, a patrolwoman at the Ofakim station
Staff Sergeant Major Dror Elton, sapper in the Yamam counter-terror unit
Staff Sergeant Yaakov Shlomo Karsninski, fighter in the undercover police unit
Sgt. First Class Avi Buzaglo, detective at the Rahat station
Sgt. First Class Michael Lizmi, detective at the Beersheba station
Sgt. First Class Shai El Knafo, town patrol in police’s Southern District
Staff Sergeant Elina Astafniko, town patrol at the Ofakim station
Corporal Ravit Hana Assiyag, Border Police officer in police’s Southern District
Shin Bet also named five members and retirees killed during the attack:
Yossi Tahar, 39, Maor Shalom 46, and Amir Wax, 48, were killed when Hamas terrorists attacked southern towns; and Ili Nahman, 23, and Ido Edri, 24, were killed when terrorists attacked an outdoor rave near Re’im.