October 7 attacks

Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups codenamed the attacks Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,{{efn|or Deluge; {{Langx|ar|عملية طوفان الأقصى|ʿamaliyyat ṭūfān al-ʾAqṣā}}, {{IPA|ar|ʔamal.ij.jat tˤuː.faːn al.ʔaq.sˤaː}}, usually romanized as "Tufan Al-Aqsa" or "Toofan Al-Aqsa".}}From the United Nations:

• {{cite web |author1=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |title=Fact Sheet: Israel and Palestine Conflict (9 October 2023) |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-9-october-2023 |website=ReliefWeb |publisher=United Nations (UN) |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013173556/https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-9-october-2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |format=Press release |date=October 9, 2023 |quote=On Saturday, 7 October — a Jewish sabbath day, the end of the weeklong Jewish festival of Sukkot, and a day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War — Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched Operation al-Aqsa Flood, a coordinated assault consisting of land and air attacks into multiple border areas of Israel. |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |author1=United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) |title=UNRWA Situation Report #1 on the Situation in the Gaza Strip |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unrwa-situation-report-1-on-the-situation-in-the-gaza-strip/ |publisher=United Nations |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016003630/https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unrwa-situation-report-1-on-the-situation-in-the-gaza-strip/ |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |format=Situation Report |date=October 7, 2023 |quote=At 06:30 on the morning of 7 October 2023, Hamas launched "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood" with more than 5,000 rockets reportedly fired towards Israel from multiple locations in Gaza, as well as ground operation into Israel. |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |author1=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |title=Fact Sheet: Israel and Palestine Conflict (19 October 2023) |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-19-october-2023 |website=ReliefWeb |publisher=United Nations |access-date=October 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022001152/https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-19-october-2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2023 |format=Press release |date=October 20, 2023 |quote=On Saturday, 7 October...Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched Operation al-Aqsa Flood, a coordinated assault consisting of land and air attacks into multiple border areas of Israel. |url-status=live}} while in Israel they are sometimes referred to as Black Saturday{{efn|{{Langx|he|השבת השחורה|hashevet hischura}}, {{IPA|he|hä.ʃe̞.ve̞t his.χu.ʁä}}}}{{cite news |last1=Waghorn |first1=Dominic |title=This is a dangerous moment in Israel-Hamas war – and the rest of the world is holding its breath |url=https://news.sky.com/story/this-is-a-dangerous-moment-in-israel-hamas-war-and-the-rest-of-the-world-is-holding-its-breath-12983870 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=Sky News |date=October 23, 2023 |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023201652/https://news.sky.com/story/this-is-a-dangerous-moment-in-israel-hamas-war-and-the-rest-of-the-world-is-holding-its-breath-12983870 |url-status=live}} or the Simchat Torah Massacre.{{efn|{{Langx|he|הטבח בשמחת תורה|hatbach beshmachat tura}}, {{IPA|he|hät.bäχ be̞ʃ.mä.χät tu.ʁä}}}}{{cite news |last1=Herzl |first1=Tova |script-title=he:אל תשתמשו במילה "שואה" בקשר לטבח |title=el tishtameshu bemila "sho'a" baksher litbach |trans-title=Don't use the word "Shoah" in connection with the massacre. |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/b1h48wc11t |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=Ynet |date=October 20, 2023 |language=he |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027051136/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/b1h48wc11t |url-status=live}} Internationally, and commonly in Israel,{{cite web | url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2024-10-07/ty-article/.premium/00000192-636d-da6d-afda-7ffdaebe0000 | title=לכל מלחמה יש שם, לזאת — רק תאריך }} the attacks are called the October 7 attacks.{{cite web |url=https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/4680031-biden-energy-adviser-discuss-lebanon-border-issues-israel-trip |title=Biden Energy Adviser to Discuss Lebanon Border Issues on Israel Trip |newspaper=Asharq Al-Awsat |date=November 20, 2023 |author= |quote="In the months before the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants who run the Gaza Strip, Hochstein said the United States was exploring the possibility of resolving the longstanding border dispute between Lebanon and Israel." |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128102703/https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/4680031-biden-energy-adviser-discuss-lebanon-border-issues-israel-trip |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/video/hamas-fighter-says-he-is-proud-of-the-october-7-attack-on-israel-and-vows-to-keep-fighting-13004550 |title=Hamas fighter says he is 'proud' of the October 7 attack on Israel and vows to keep fighting |work=Sky News |date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209044919/https://news.sky.com/video/hamas-fighter-says-he-is-proud-of-the-october-7-attack-on-israel-and-vows-to-keep-fighting-13004550 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/secret-hamas-attack-orders-israel-gaza-7-october |title=A deadly cascade: how secret Hamas attack orders were passed down at last minute |newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 9, 2023 |first=Jason |last=Burke |quote="Analysts said other objectives of the 7 October attacks probably included halting efforts to normalise relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, further undermining the Palestinian Authority, distracting from Hamas's failure to deliver services or break the blockade of Gaza, and provoking a violent reaction from Israel that would mobilise its own supporters in Gaza, the West Bank and elsewhere." |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217072449/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/07/secret-hamas-attack-orders-israel-gaza-7-october |url-status=live}}

{{further|Background to the Gaza war|Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}

File:OCHA_OpT_September_2023_map_of_the_Gaza_Strip.pdf under Israeli blockade, with Israeli/Egyptian-controlled borders and limited fishing zone in September 2023.]]

Israel has occupied the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, since the Six-Day War in 1967.{{efn|Although Israel disengaged from Gaza in 2005, most of the international community still regards Gaza as being occupied due to Israel's effective military control over the territory.{{cite journal |title=Frequently asked questions on ICRC's work in Israel and the occupied territories |journal=International Committee of the Red Cross |date=October 13, 2023 |url=https://www.icrc.org/en/document/frequently-asked-questions-icrcs-work-israel-and-occupied-territories |ref={{sfnref |International Committee of the Red Cross |2023}} |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029201111/https://www.icrc.org/en/document/frequently-asked-questions-icrcs-work-israel-and-occupied-territories |url-status=live}}}}{{cite news |title=Original sin: on the attack on Israel and the occupation of Palestine |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/original-sin-on-the-attack-on-israel-and-the-occupation-of-palestine/article67400015.ece |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010081312/https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/original-sin-on-the-attack-on-israel-and-the-occupation-of-palestine/article67400015.ece |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Arab Perspectives on the Middle East Crisis |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2023/10/arab-perspectives-on-the-middle-east-crisis?lang=en |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116150803/https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/10/13/arab-perspectives-on-middle-east-crisis-pub-90774 |url-status=live}}

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), are a Palestinian nationalistTheocratic extremist Islamists, affiliates and sympathizers of ISIS and Al Qaeda, have condemned Hamas for their nationalism and their participation in electoral politics: {{cite news |title=Why Differences between Globalist and Nationalist Armed Islamist Groups Matter |work=MES Insights |volume=14 |number=6 |url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MES-Publications/MES-Insights/Excommunicating-Hamas/ |access-date=August 21, 2024 |date=December 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821194747/https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/MES-Publications/MES-Insights/Excommunicating-Hamas/ |url-status=live}} Islamist movement. They formed in 1987, and are the largest Islamist movement in the Palestinian territories.{{Cite book |last=Kushner |first=Harvey W. |title=Encyclopedia of terrorism |date=2003 |publisher=SAGE publications |isbn=978-0-7619-2408-1 |location=Thousand Oaks (Calif.) London |pages=xxiv}} It maintains an uncompromising stance on the "complete liberation of Palestine", often using political violence to achieve its goals. Recent statements suggest a shift in focus toward ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and establishing a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. Hamas has been responsible for numerous suicide bombings{{Cite journal |last1=Dolnik |first1=A. |last2=Bhattacharjee |first2=A. |date=2002 |title=Hamas: Suicide Bombings, Rockets, or WMD? |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/714005624 |url-status=live |journal=Terrorism and Political Violence |language= |volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=109–128 |doi=10.1080/714005624 |issn=0954-6553 |s2cid=143776419 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206101232/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/714005624 |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |quote=Hamas' initial involvement in the violent exchange dates to 1989, when the group conducted a stabbing campaign against individual Israelis. ... when Hamas launched a series of suicide bombings accompanied by several kidnappings of Israeli soldiers. Suicide operations remain the most dominant Hamas tactic to date, along with occasional shooting, grenade and time bomb attacks.|url-access=subscription }}{{Cite journal |last=Litvak |first=Meir |date=July 15, 2010 |title="Martyrdom is Life": Jihad and Martyrdom in the Ideology of Hamas |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2010.494170 |url-status=live |journal=Studies in Conflict & Terrorism |volume=33 |issue=8 |pages=716–734 |doi=10.1080/1057610X.2010.494170 |issn=1057-610X |s2cid=144566931 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212103657/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1057610X.2010.494170 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |quote=In the course of time, Hamas has become the most effective Palestinian organization fighting Israel, carrying out a series of suicide attacks, against mostly civilian Israeli targets, in the years 1994–1996 and 2001–2007, which caused the death of over 1,000 Israeli civilians.|url-access=subscription }} and rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians.{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2021 |title=Rights group says Hamas rockets at Israel a clear war crime |url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-business-israel-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-1032a5117375ba8c0cdffbdd62ce02ad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204154541/https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-business-israel-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-1032a5117375ba8c0cdffbdd62ce02ad |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=AP News}} Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, New Zealand, and the UK have designated Hamas a "terrorist organisation". In 2010 it attempted to derail the peace talks between Israel and the PA. In 2017, it adopted a new charter, removing antisemitic language and shifting focus from Jews to Zionists.

• {{cite book |last=Seurat |first=Leila |title=The Foreign Policy of Hamas |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-83860-744-9 |page=17}}
• {{cite book |author=Qossay Hamed |title=Hamas in Power: The Question of Transformation |publisher=IGI Global |year=2023 |page=161}}
• {{cite book |author=Timea Spitka |title=National and International Civilian Protection Strategies in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |publisher=Springer International Publishing |year=2023 |pages=88–89}}
• {{cite news |date=May 6, 2017 |title=Khaled Meshaal: Struggle is against Israel, not Jews |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/talk-to-al-jazeera/2017/5/6/khaled-meshaal-struggle-is-against-israel-not-jews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119044505/https://www.aljazeera.com/program/talk-to-al-jazeera/2017/5/6/khaled-meshaal-struggle-is-against-israel-not-jews |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |publisher=Al-Jazeera}} Scholars differ on Hamas' objectives, with some saying it seeks a Palestinian state within 1967 bordersSources that believe that Hamas has accepted the 1967 borders:
• {{cite book |author=Bjorn Brenner |title=Gaza Under Hamas |publisher=I. B. Tauris |page=206}}
• {{cite book |author=Mohammed Ayoob |title=The Many Faces of Political Islam, Second Edition |publisher=University of Michigan Press |page=133}}
• {{cite book |author=Maria Koinova |title=Diaspora Entrepreneurs and Contested States |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=150}}
• {{cite news |last=Zartman |first=Jonathan |year=2021 |title=Conflict in the Modern Middle East:An Encyclopedia of Civil War, Revolutions, and Regime Change |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=230}}
• {{cite book |title=Routledge Companion to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |editor=Asaf Siniver}}
• {{cite book |last=Seurat |first=Leila |title=The Foreign Policy of Hamas |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |year=2019 |isbn=978-1-83860-744-9 |pages=61–62}} while others believe Hamas still seeks the destruction of Israel.Sources that say Hamas has called for Israel's destruction: {{Cite news |last=May |first=Tiffany |date=October 8, 2023 |title=A Quick Look at Hamas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/world/middleeast/hamas-military-gaza-explained.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014102435/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/world/middleeast/hamas-military-gaza-explained.html |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=}}

{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Have war crimes been committed in Israel and Gaza and what laws govern the conflict? |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-international-law-explainer-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116210611/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/16/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-international-law-explainer-intl/index.html |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=CNN}}{{efn|Sources that say Hamas calls for Israel's destruction cite the 1988 Hamas charter, while sources that say Hamas has accepted the 1967 borders cite the 2017 Hamas charter, 2005 Palestinian Cairo Declaration and 2006 Palestinian Prisoners' Document.}}

Before the attack, Saudi Arabia warned Israel of an "explosion" as a result of the continued occupation,{{Cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Edward |last2=Nereim |first2=Vivian |date=October 7, 2023 |title=The war could upend Biden's diplomacy on Saudi-Israel normalization. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/saudi-israel-gaza-war.html |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008012102/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/saudi-israel-gaza-war.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Egypt had warned of a catastrophe unless there was political progress,{{cite news |title=The lesson from the Hamas attack: The U.S. should recognize a Palestinian state |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/10/09/gaza-war-israel-palestinians-recognition/ |newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Daoud|last=Kuttab|date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009215129/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/10/09/gaza-war-israel-palestinians-recognition/ |url-status=live |department=Opinion |url-access=limited}} and Palestinian Authority officials gave similar warnings. Less than two months before the attacks, King Abdullah II of Jordan lamented that Palestinians had "no civil rights; no freedom of mobility".

{{see also |Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict in 2023}}

Throughout 2023, increased settler attacks displaced hundreds of Palestinians.{{Cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Tia |last2=Shurafa |first2=Wafaa |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Israel declares war, goes after Hamas fighters and bombards Gaza |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008051308/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press}} In April, clashes occurred around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a contested holy site in Jerusalem. In May, clashes occurred between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group.

Tensions between Israel and Hamas rose in September 2023, and The Washington Post wrote that the two were "on the brink of war".{{cite news |title=What's behind the violence in Israel and Gaza? Here's what to know. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-violence-conflict-faq/ |first1=Brian |last1=Murphy |first2=Adam |last2=Taylor |first3=Sammy |last3=Westfall |first4=Bryan |last4=Pietsch |first5=Steve |last5=Hendrix |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 18, 2023 |url-access=limited |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008184041/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-violence-conflict-faq/ |url-status=live}} On September 13, five Palestinians were killed at the border.{{efn|The Washington Post said the Palestinians were trying to explode the device, while Al-Jazeera said that a Palestinian Explosives Engineering Unit was trying to defuse the device.{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/13/deadly-explosion-hits-gaza-rally-marking-2005-israel-pullout |title=Explosion kills five at Gaza rally marking 2005 Israel pullout |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017163027/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/13/deadly-explosion-hits-gaza-rally-marking-2005-israel-pullout |url-status=live}}}} Israel said it found explosives hidden in a shipment and halted all exports from Gaza; Hamas denied Israel's claims. Reuters quoted Palestinians who said that the several-day ban affected thousands of families.{{cite news |title=Israel says it found 16 tons of rocket-making substance headed from Turkey to Gaza |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-found-16-tons-rocket-making-substance-headed-turkey-gaza-2023-09-14/ |access-date=September 14, 2023 |publisher=Reuters |date=September 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027205725/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-found-16-tons-rocket-making-substance-headed-turkey-gaza-2023-09-14/ |archive-date=October 27, 2023}} In response to the ban, Hamas put its forces on high alert and conducted military exercises with other groups, including openly practicing storming Israeli settlements. Hamas also allowed Palestinians to resume protests at the Gaza–Israel barrier. On September 29, Qatar, the UN, and Egypt mediated an agreement between Israeli and Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip to reopen closed crossing points and deescalate tensions;{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Civilians and soldiers held hostage in Gaza, says Israel |page=14 |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-attack-on-israel-with-5000-rockets-live?page=with:block-6520f64b8f08584119dd1adf&filterKeyEvents=false#liveblog-navigation |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010211556/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-attack-on-israel-with-5000-rockets-live?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6520f64b8f08584119dd1adf#liveblog-navigation |url-status=live}} the total number of Gazans with work permits in Israel stood at 17,000.{{Cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-09-22/ty-article/.premium/defense-ministry-expands-number-of-israeli-work-permits-for-gazans/00000183-6548-db87-a18f-67fc94e40000 |title=Israel Expands Number of Work Permits for Gazans |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117104147/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-09-22/ty-article/.premium/defense-ministry-expands-number-of-israeli-work-permits-for-gazans/00000183-6548-db87-a18f-67fc94e40000 |url-status=live}}

Egypt said it warned Israel days before the attack that "an explosion of the situation [was] coming, and very soon, and it would be big."{{cite news |title=Egypt intelligence official says Israel ignored repeated warnings of 'something big' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-intelligence-official-says-israel-ignored-repeated-warnings-of-something-big/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |agency=Associated Press |date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009113011/https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-intelligence-official-says-israel-ignored-repeated-warnings-of-something-big/ |url-status=live}} Israel denied receiving such a warning,{{Cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-13/ty-article/.premium/israels-national-security-adviser-denies-receiving-egyptian-warning-of-hamas-attack/0000018b-28c9-d1bc-a58b-69ef2ed70000 |title='Utterly Fake': Israel's National Security Adviser Denies Receiving Egyptian Warning of Hamas Attack |first=Jonathan |last=Lis |work=Haaretz |url-access=subscription|date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013215956/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-13/ty-article/.premium/israels-national-security-adviser-denies-receiving-egyptian-warning-of-hamas-attack/0000018b-28c9-d1bc-a58b-69ef2ed70000 |url-status=live}} although Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House Foreign Relations Committee, said that warnings were given three days before the attack.{{cite news |title=Senior US lawmaker says Egypt warned Israel 3 days before onslaught |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/senior-us-lawmaker-says-egypt-warned-israel-3-days-before-onslaught/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011163145/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/senior-us-lawmaker-says-egypt-warned-israel-3-days-before-onslaught/ |url-status=live}}

For two years, Hamas used hardwired phone lines within Gaza's tunnel network, nicknamed the "Gaza metro", to covertly communicate, evade Israeli intelligence, and plan Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Pamela |last2=Cohen |first2=Zachary |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Hamas operatives used phone lines installed in tunnels under Gaza to plan Israel attack over 2 years, sources familiar with intelligence say |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/24/politics/intelligence-hamas-israel-attack-tunnels-phone-lines/index.html |access-date=December 11, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=October 28, 2023 |title='A spider's web of tunnels': inside Gaza's underground network being targeted by Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/28/a-spiders-web-of-tunnels-inside-gazas-underground-network-being-targeted-by-israel |access-date=December 11, 2024 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}

In the months preceding the attack, Hamas publicly released videos of its militants preparing to attack Israel. A video released in December 2022 showed Hamas training to take hostages, while another video showed Hamas practicing paragliding.{{Cite news |title=Hamas militants trained for its deadly attack in plain sight and less than a mile from Israel's heavily fortified border |first1=Paul P. |last1=Murphy |first2=Tara |last2=John |first3=Brent |last3=Swails |first4=Oren |last4=Liebermann |date=October 13, 2023|url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/12/middleeast/hamas-training-site-gaza-israel-intl/index.html |access-date=October 13, 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013024259/https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/12/middleeast/hamas-training-site-gaza-israel-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} On September 12, Hamas posted a video of its fighters training to blast through the border.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/hamas-practised-in-plain-sight-posting-video-of-mock-attack-weeks-before-border-breach-1.6599556 |title=Hamas practised in plain sight, posting video of mock attack weeks before border breach |date=October 12, 2023 |work=CTV News |access-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117064305/https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/hamas-practised-in-plain-sight-posting-video-of-mock-attack-weeks-before-border-breach-1.6599556 |url-status=live}} After the attack, the IDF said that Hamas had extensively studied the military bases and settlements near the border.{{cite news |last=Schecter |first=Anna |date=October 14, 2023 |title='Top secret' Hamas documents show that terrorists intentionally targeted elementary schools and a youth center |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/top-secret-hamas-documents-show-terrorists-intentionally-targeted-elem-rcna120310 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014000228/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/investigations/top-secret-hamas-documents-show-terrorists-intentionally-targeted-elem-rcna120310 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Loveday |last2=Hendrix |first2=Steve |title=Documents found on fighters reveal Hamas capabilities, bloody plans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/21/hamas-documents-plans-israel-attack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023110256/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/21/hamas-documents-plans-israel-attack/ |archive-date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

The Wall Street Journal has accused Iran of being behind the attack.{{cite news |last1=Said |first1=Summer |last2=Faucon |first2=Benoit |last3=Stephen |first3=Kalin |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008215433/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25 |url-status=live}} U.S. officials{{cite news |title=500 Hamas, PIJ terrorists trained for October 7 attack in Iran last month – report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/500-hamas-pij-terrorists-trained-for-october-7-attack-in-iran-last-month-report/ |access-date=October 27, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |date=October 25, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026232038/https://www.timesofisrael.com/500-hamas-pij-terrorists-trained-for-october-7-attack-in-iran-last-month-report/ |url-status=live}} and Iran have denied this.{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-un-mission-says-tehran-not-involved-hamas-attacks-2023-10-09/ |title=Iran's UN mission says Tehran not involved in Hamas attacks |date=October 9, 2023 |newspaper=Reuters |access-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009033748/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-un-mission-says-tehran-not-involved-hamas-attacks-2023-10-09/ |url-status=live}}

The IDF has reported seizing over 10,000 weapons following the attack. The arsenal included RPGs, mines, sniper rifles, drones, thermobaric rockets, and other advanced weapons. According to Israeli sources, documents and maps seized from Hamas militants indicated that Hamas intended a coordinated, month-long operation to invade and occupy Israeli towns, cities, and kibbutzim, including attacking Ashkelon by sea and reaching Kiryat Gat, 20 miles into Israel. The scale of weapons, supplies, and plans indicated, according to Israel, that Hamas intended to inflict mass casualties on Israeli civilians and military forces over an extended period.{{cite news |title=Hamas supplies suggest strategy for long-term occupation in Israel |agency=IANS |publisher=IANS English; New Delhi |date=October 16, 2023}}{{full citation needed|date=December 2024}}{{cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |title=Captured weapons shed light on stunning extent of Hamas's battle blueprint |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry4wgk9116 |work=Ynetnews |date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107121128/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ry4wgk9116 |url-status=live}} Western and Middle Eastern security officials gathered evidence suggesting that Hamas intended to invade as far as the West Bank, had the initial attack been more successful.{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-772934 |title=Hamas planned to push October 7 massacre to the West Bank border – report |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114055918/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/gaza-news/article-772934 |url-status=live}}

The National Resistance Center of Ukraine alleged that the Russian Wagner Group trained Hamas militants ahead of the attack, specifically on attack methods and using drones to drop explosives. The National Resistance Center, citing intelligence from Belarusian partisans, said that Wagner mercenaries provided Hamas with drones during exercises in Africa.{{cite news |last1=Struck |first1=Julia |title=Wagner Trained Hamas Militants for Attack on Israel, Ukrainian Partisans Claim |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/22528 |work=Kyiv Post |access-date=July 26, 2024 |date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725203558/https://www.kyivpost.com/post/22528 |url-status=live}}{{better source needed|reason=ideally we should have a confirmation from an independent source|date=December 2024}}

According to The New York Times, Israeli officials had obtained detailed attack plans more than a year before the attack. The document described operational plans and targets, including the size and location of Israeli forces, and raised questions in Israel about how Hamas learned these details. The document provided a plan that included a large-scale rocket assault before an invasion, drones to knock out the surveillance cameras and automated guns that Israel has stationed along the border, and gunmen invading Israel, including with paragliders. The Times reported, "Hamas followed the blueprint with shocking precision." According to The Times, the document was widely circulated among Israeli military and intelligence leadership, who largely dismissed the plan as beyond Hamas's capabilities, though it was unclear whether the political leadership was informed. In July 2023, a member of the Israeli signals intelligence unit alerted her superiors that Hamas was conducting preparations for the assault, saying, "I utterly refute that the scenario is imaginary". An Israeli colonel ignored her concerns.{{cite news |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |last2=Goldman |first2=Adam |title=Israel Knew Hamas's Attack Plan Over a Year Ago |work=The New York Times |date=December 1, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html?campaign_id=307&emc=edit_igwb_20231201&instance_id=109019&nl=israel-hamas-war-briefing®i_id=64680187&segment_id=151409&te=1&user_id=1e9c9142246ac5796beabc2f49486341 |access-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-date=December 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206180618/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html?campaign_id=307&emc=edit_igwb_20231201&instance_id=109019&nl=israel-hamas-war-briefing®i_id=64680187&segment_id=151409&te=1&user_id=1e9c9142246ac5796beabc2f49486341 |url-status=live}}

The official investigation by Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, found that the agency failed to provide the warning that could have prevented the massacre. The head of Shin Bet convened a situation assessment in the early hours of October 7 to discuss the intelligence received from Gaza, however in the end only a low-level warning was issued and a small team specialising in thwarting limited attacks was sent to the south. According to the report the counterintelligence service of Hamas had been highly effective in preventing the gathering of intelligence in Gaza.{{cite news |title=Probing October 7, Shin Bet Points Fingers at Netanyahu, Fueling Tensions With PM |access-date=March 11, 2025 |publisher=Haaretz |date=March 5, 2025|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-03-05/ty-article/.premium/shin-bet-oct-7-probe-finds-internal-failures-points-finger-at-prime-minister/00000195-62f1-db7b-afdd-f2fdc8cb0000|first=Amos|last=Harel}}

According to the findings of the investigation, Shin Bet warned the Prime Minister that Hamas was not deterred and objected to the prevailing divide-and-rule policy of the Israeli government.

According to Haaretz, Shin Bet and IDF military commanders discussed a possible threat to the Nova music festival near kibbutz Re'im just hours before the attack, but the festival's organizers were not warned.{{cite news |last1=Kubovich |first1=Yaniv |title=Despite Israeli Intelligence Warnings About a Hamas Attack, the Army Didn't Evacuate the Nova Festival |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-05/ty-article/.premium/despite-intel-warnings-about-a-hamas-attack-the-army-didnt-evacuate-the-nova-festival/0000018c-3993-dc03-a9ec-3dfb2cda0000 |work=Haaretz |date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205200355/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-05/ty-article/.premium/despite-intel-warnings-about-a-hamas-attack-the-army-didnt-evacuate-the-nova-festival/0000018c-3993-dc03-a9ec-3dfb2cda0000 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Grylls |first=George |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Nova festival: Israel 'withheld warnings' about Hamas massacre |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/israel-nova-music-festival-shin-bet-hamas-massacre-wv7qs3cww |work=The Times |location=London |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209004200/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/israel-nova-music-festival-shin-bet-hamas-massacre-wv7qs3cww |url-status=live}}

According to a BBC investigation, surveillance reports suggested that Hamas was planning a significant operation against Israel, but senior IDF officers repeatedly ignored the warnings.{{cite news |last=Cuddy |first=Alice |date=January 15, 2024 |title=They were Israel's 'eyes on the border' – but their Hamas warnings went unheard |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67958260 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115002359/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67958260 |url-status=live}}

A Haaretz investigation found that incompetence in the IDF's higher ranks, including refusal to acknowledge Hamas's preparations for the attacks, was a major cause of the October attacks. The IDF had reduced funding and manpower dedicated to observing Hamas, focusing primarily on rocket sites and ignoring Hamas training and troop movements as well as the activities of the Hamas military leadership. Simulated exercises of Hamas attacks found the Gaza division's response lacking. Cultural conformity was fostered among officers and dissent discouraged. Officers often silenced subordinates to maintain their positions, contributing to a toxic atmosphere where questioning higher-ups' decisions about Hamas was met with apprehension, resulting in most junior officers giving up.{{cite news |last1=Kubovich |first1=Yaniv |title=Disdain, denial, neglect: The deep roots of Israel's devastating intelligence failure on Hamas and October 7 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-05-09/ty-article/.premium/disdain-denial-neglect-the-roots-of-israels-intelligence-failure-on-hamas-and-oct-7/0000018f-5811-d348-a7bf-feb907a80000 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=Haaretz |date=May 9, 2024}}

{{main list|List of military engagements during the Gaza war}}

At around 6:30 a.m. Israel Summer Time (UTC+3) on Saturday, October 7, 2023, Hamas announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/sirens-warn-of-rockets-launched-towards-israel-from-gaza-news-reports |title=Israel retaliation kills 230 Palestinians after Hamas operation |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007053106/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/sirens-warn-of-rockets-launched-towards-israel-from-gaza-news-reports |url-status=live}} Qassam commander Mohammed Deif gave a speech mentioning Israel's 16-year blockade of Gaza, Israeli incursions in West Bank cities, violence at Al-Aqsa mosque, Israeli settler violence with the army's support, the confiscation of property and demolition of homes, arbitrarily detaining Palestinians for years until "they wither from cancer and disease", Israel's neglect for international law, American-Western support, and international silence. He then described the operation, that they had drawn the line, and that it was to end "the last occupation on Earth".{{cite news |title=Hamas leader Haniyeh: Battle 'will spread to West Bank, Jerusalem' |date=October 8, 2023 |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387276/middle-east |agency=Associated Press and Reuters |quote="The leader of Hamas' military wing, Mohammed Deif, said Saturday's assault was in response to the 16-year blockade of Gaza, Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year, violence at Al-Aqsa and increasing attacks by settlers on Palestinians, and growth of settlements." |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018143356/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387276/middle-east |archive-date=October 18, 2023}} Shortly thereafter, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh made a similar announcement in a televised address.{{cite news |title=Hundreds dead as war erupts after surprise Hamas attack catches Israel off guard |date=October 7, 2023 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-israel-rockets-attack-hamas-1.6990209 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=CBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110155357/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-israel-rockets-attack-hamas-1.6990209 |archive-date=January 10, 2024}}

In addition to Hamas, several Palestinian militant groups voiced support for the operation and participated in it to some extent. The National Resistance Brigades, the armed wing of the Maoist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), confirmed their participation in the operation through their military spokesman Abu Khaled,{{Cite web |title="أبو خالد" الناطق العسكري لكتائب المقاومة الوطنية (قوات الشهيد عمر القاسم) الجناح العسكري للجبهة الديمقراطية لتحرير فلسطين |trans-title=[Statement from] "Abu Khalid", the military spokesperson for the National Resistance Brigades (the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine). |url=https://alhourriah.org/article/125236 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008113130/https://alhourriah.org/article/125236 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |publisher=Al-Hurriya |language=ar}} saying it had lost three fighters in combat with the IDF. The PFLP (a Palestinian Marxist–Leninist / secular nationalist political party) and the Lions' Den group (a nonpartisan militant group based in the West Bank) voiced support for the operation and declared maximum alertness and general mobilization among their troops. Nine individuals employed by UNRWA were accused by Israel of participation, and after a months-long internal investigation, were fired for possible involvement.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/08/05/unrwa-october-7-israel-hamas-gaza/ |title=U.N. fires Gaza staff, citing possible involvement in attack on Israel |first=Karen |last=DeYoung |date=August 5, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 10, 2024 |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807091206/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/08/05/unrwa-october-7-israel-hamas-gaza/ |url-status=live}}

{{main list |List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel in 2023}}

File:نمایی از راهروی ساختمان بیمارستان اشکلون در جنوب اسرائیل که هدف راکت گروه حماس قرار گرفته.png, a hospital in southern Israel, during the Hamas-led attack on Israel{{cite news |last=Efrati |first=Ido |title=Direct Rocket Hits, Partial Protection: How a Hospital Operates in Israel's Most Bombarded City |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-01/ty-article/.premium/hospital-serving-israels-most-bombarded-city-operating-at-30-percent-capacity/0000018b-8887-dd28-a7df-9897d1dd0000 |work=Haaretz |date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101073615/http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-01/ty-article/.premium/hospital-serving-israels-most-bombarded-city-operating-at-30-percent-capacity/0000018b-8887-dd28-a7df-9897d1dd0000 |url-status=live}}]]

Deif said more than 5,000 rockets had been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel in a span of 20 minutes at the start of the operation. Israeli sources reported the launch of 4,300 projectiles from Gaza, killing twelve and injuring dozens, most of them from the Bedouin community.{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/7/israel-palestine-escalation-live-news-barrage-of-rockets-fired-from-gaza |title=Israel-Palestine escalation live news: Hamas starts Operation Al-Aqsa Flood |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007062723/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/10/7/israel-palestine-escalation-live-news-barrage-of-rockets-fired-from-gaza |url-status=live}} Explosions were reported in areas surrounding Gaza and in the Sharon Plain, including Gedera, Herzliyya, Beersheba, Tel Aviv, and Ashkelon.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Netanyahu: 'We are at war' |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6 |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007052803/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rysg8i0l6 |archive-date=October 7, 2023}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67036625 |title=Strikes on Gaza after Palestinian militants enter Israel |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=BBC News |first=David |last=Gritten |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007045410/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67036625 |url-status=live}} Air raid sirens were activated in Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Rehovot, Rishon Lezion, and Palmachim Airbase.{{Cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231007-sirens-heard-as-dozens-of-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel |title=Barrages of rockets fired from Gaza as Hamas launches unprecedented operation against Israel |date=October 7, 2023 |work=France 24 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094105/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231007-sirens-heard-as-dozens-of-rockets-fired-from-gaza-towards-israel |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Militants enter Israel from Gaza after woman killed in rocket barrage |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=CNN |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094105/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}} Hamas issued a call to arms, with Deif calling on "Muslims everywhere to launch an attack". In the evening Hamas launched another barrage of about 150 rockets towards Israel, with explosions reported in Yavne, Givatayim, Bat Yam, Beit Dagan, Tel Aviv, and Rishon Lezion.

{{multiple image|perrow = 1|total_width=230

| image1 = Palestinian invasion of Israel (Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, map, Oct 7, 2023).svg

| image2 = October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict (7– 8 October).svg

| footer = Approximate situation on October 7–8

}}

File:Hamas terrorists execute a mother father in their car. A little girl and her baby brother in the backseats stayed in the car for hours and were later rescued. Oct. 7.webm.]]

File:Hamas members attacking civilians in Kibbutz Mefalsim, Israel (October 2023).webm.]]

Simultaneously, around 6,000 Palestinian militants and civilians infiltrated Israel from Gaza breaching the border in 119 places.{{cite news |last1=Dov |first1=Yehuda |title=Huge Arsenal Of Weapons Indicate: Hamas Planned To Invade Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat |url=https://vinnews.com/2023/10/16/huge-arsenal-of-weapons-indicate-hamas-planned-to-invade-ashkelon-kiryat-gat/ |access-date=October 16, 2023 |publisher=VINnews |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017020444/https://vinnews.com/2023/10/16/huge-arsenal-of-weapons-indicate-hamas-planned-to-invade-ashkelon-kiryat-gat/ |url-status=live}} The infiltration was executed using trucks, pickup trucks, motorcycles, bulldozers, speedboats, and powered paragliders.{{Cite news |last1=Federman |first1=Josef |last2=Adwan |first2=Issam |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Hamas militant group has started a war that 'Israel will win,' defense minister says |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007073124/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |archive-date=October 7, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Gaza and Israel in 'War Mode' After Militants Launch Surprise Assaults |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/07/world/israel-gaza-attack |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007075901/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/07/world/israel-gaza-attack |archive-date=October 7, 2023}}

The Sderot police station was reported to have come under Hamas control, with militants killing 30 Israelis, including policemen and civilians.{{cite news |last=Margulies |first=Joanie |date=October 8, 2023 |title=IDF regains control over Sderot police station |newspaper=Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-763198 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007170438/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/ |url-status=live}}

Early in the attack they deliberately destroyed the computer systems at the police station. This disabled communication and delayed the response to the attacks.{{cite news |last1=Darnley-Stuart |first1=Adam |last2=West |first2=Levi |title=MWI Podcast: Understanding Hamas—from Tactics to Strategy |url=https://mwi.westpoint.edu/mwi-podcast-understanding-hamas-from-tactics-to-strategy/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Modern War Institute at West Point |date=November 14, 2023 |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106001052/https://mwi.westpoint.edu/mwi-podcast-understanding-hamas-from-tactics-to-strategy/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Darnley-Stuart |first1=Adam |last2=West |first2=Levi |title=Modern War Institute: Understanding Hamas: From Tactics to Strategy on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/understanding-hamas-from-tactics-to-strategy/id1079958510?i=1000634767004 |access-date=January 5, 2024 |publisher=Modern War Institute at West Point |via=Apple Podcasts |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106001050/https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/understanding-hamas-from-tactics-to-strategy/id1079958510?i=1000634767004 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=West |first1=Levi |last2=Darnley-Stuart |first2=Adam |title=Irregular Warfare Podcast: Taking the Long View on Hamas on Apple Podcasts |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-the-long-view-on-hamas/id1514636385?i=1000634764141 |access-date=January 6, 2024 |work=Irregular Warfare Podcast |publisher=Modern War Institute at West Point |via=iTunes |archive-date=January 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106015516/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-the-long-view-on-hamas/id1514636385?i=1000634764141 |url-status=live}}

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 and setting homes on fire.{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=In pictures: Scenes of war and chaos after Hamas launch surprise attack on Israel |work=France 24 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231007-in-pictures-hamas-israel-palestine-gaza-attack-netanyahu |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163706/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231007-in-pictures-hamas-israel-palestine-gaza-attack-netanyahu |archive-date=October 7, 2023}} Other videos appeared to show Israelis taken prisoner, a burning Israeli tank,{{Cite news |last1=Federman |first1=Josef |last2=Adwan |first2=Issam |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Hamas militant group launches unprecedented operation against Israel with rockets and infiltration |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007073124/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press}} and militants driving Israeli military vehicles. Israeli first responders reportedly recovered documents from killed militants' bodies with instructions to attack civilians, including elementary schools and a youth center, to "kill as many people as possible", and to take hostages for use in future negotiations.{{Cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Adele |last2=Taylor |first2=Jack |last3=Elms |first3=Victoria |date=October 13, 2023 |title='Top secret' documents seen by Sky News suggest Hamas attack may have been planned for a year |url=https://news.sky.com/story/hamas-may-have-planned-israel-attack-for-more-than-a-year-documents-shared-with-sky-news-suggest-12984107 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=Sky News |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013231802/https://news.sky.com/story/hamas-may-have-planned-israel-attack-for-more-than-a-year-documents-shared-with-sky-news-suggest-12984107 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Lieber |first1=Dov |last2=Cloud |first2=David S. |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Hamas Fighters' Orders: 'Kill as Many People as Possible' |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-orders-kill-as-many-people-as-possible-2a6abff8 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=WSJ |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015203706/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-orders-kill-as-many-people-as-possible-2a6abff8 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=מגידו |first1=גור |last2=שיזף |first2=הגר |date=October 27, 2023 |title=לחמאס הייתה תוכנית קרב מסודרת לפוגרום בניר עוז. כך היא נראתה |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/tmr/weekend/2023-10-27/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/0000018b-65c2-d230-a1bf-6df316350000 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027080451/https://www.haaretz.co.il/tmr/weekend/2023-10-27/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/0000018b-65c2-d230-a1bf-6df316350000 |url-status=live}} The UN's Pramila Patten and Commission of Inquiry concluded in their reports that the authenticity of these alleged instruction documents claimed to have been retrieved from Hamas militants could not be substantiated.{{cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session56/a-hrc-56-26-auv.docx |title=Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel |author=Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory |date=June 12, 2024 |publisher=Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights |access-date=August 23, 2024 |archive-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829134953/https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session56/a-hrc-56-26-auv.docx |url-status=live}} Some of the militants wore body cameras to record the acts, presumably for propaganda purposes.{{cite web |last1=Tolan |first1=Casey |last2=Ash |first2=Audrey |last3=Chapman |first3=Isabelle |last4=Merrill |first4=Curt |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Slain Hamas militants' body camera videos show the preparation and tactics behind their terror attack on Israel |url=https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2023/middleeast/hamas-attack-body-cam-videos-invs-dg/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=CNN |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028185030/https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2023/middleeast/hamas-attack-body-cam-videos-invs-dg/ |url-status=live}}

The morning of the attack, an Israeli military spokesman said 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.{{Cite news |last1=Bayer |first1=Lili |last2=Ho |first2=Vivian |last3=Fulton |first3=Adam |last4=Yang |first4=Maya |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Israel declares state of war after Hamas fires thousands of rockets and 'militants cross border' – live |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-attack-on-israel-with-5000-rockets-live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007071116/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-attack-on-israel-with-5000-rockets-live |url-status=live}} The Erez Crossing was reported to have come under Hamas control, enabling militants to enter Israel from Gaza. Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said there were 21 active high-confrontation locations in southern Israel.

The New York Times reported that an Israeli intelligence document prepared weeks after the attack found that Hamas had breached the border fence in over 30 separate locations.{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |last3=Mazzetti |first3=Mark |last4=Odenheimer |first4=Natan |last5=Cardia |first5=Alexander |last6=Tiefenthäler |first6=Ainara |last7=Frenkel |first7=Sheera |title=Where Was the Israeli Military? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/30/world/middleeast/israeli-military-hamas-failures.html |work=The New York Times |date=December 30, 2023 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230223314/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/30/world/middleeast/israeli-military-hamas-failures.html |url-status=live}}

Starting at 6.30{{nbsp}}a.m. the same day, a massacre unfolded at an outdoor music festival near Re'im, resulting in at least 360 dead and many others 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.{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Témoignage d'un survivant du festival Supernova où 270 personnes ont été tuées par le Hamas |trans-title=Testimony of a survivor of the Supernova festival where 270 people were killed by Hamas |url=https://fr.euronews.com/2023/10/12/temoignage-dun-survivant-du-festival-supernova-ou-270-personnes-ont-ete-tuees-par-le-hamas |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=euronews |language=fr |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014010611/http://fr.euronews.com/2023/10/12/temoignage-dun-survivant-du-festival-supernova-ou-270-personnes-ont-ete-tuees-par-le-hamas |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Estrin |first=Daniel |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=NPR |title=In surprise deadly attacks, Israel says Palestinian militants infiltrated from Gaza |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/07/1204436940/palestinian-militants-launch-rockets-into-israel |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007090901/https://www.npr.org/2023/10/07/1204436940/palestinian-militants-launch-rockets-into-israel |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Israeli music festival: 260 bodies recovered from site where people fled in hail of bullets |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008143208/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |url-status=live}} Militants killed civilians at Nir Oz,{{Cite news |last1=חסון |first1=ניר |last2=מילרוד |first2=מוטי |date=October 20, 2023 |title=בניר עוז כמעט ולא היה קרב. תושבי הקיבוץ הסמוך לגבול נטבחו בשיטתיות |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2023-10-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000018b-492c-d5d2-afef-cdfde9e70000 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020120608/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2023-10-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000018b-492c-d5d2-afef-cdfde9e70000 |url-status=live}} Be'eri, and Netiv HaAsara, where they took hostages{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/al-aqsa-storm-militants-infiltrate-israel-after-gaza-rockets-10-07-intl-hnk/index.html |title=Militants infiltrate Israel from Gaza as Hamas claims major rocket attack |date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=CNN |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007075445/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/al-aqsa-storm-militants-infiltrate-israel-after-gaza-rockets-10-07-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=חסון |first=ניר |date=October 20, 2023 |title=בקיבוצי העוטף מנסים להסתכל קדימה: "המטרה מול עיניי — לחזור הביתה" |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2023-10-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000018b-499a-dc3c-a5df-ddbaab290000 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020160628/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2023-10-20/ty-article-magazine/.premium/0000018b-499a-dc3c-a5df-ddbaab290000 |url-status=live}} and set fire to homes, as well as in kibbutzim around the Gaza Strip. Around 50 civilians were killed in the Kfar Aza massacre, 108 in the Be'eri massacre, and 15 people in the Netiv HaAsara massacre.{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Border town identifies at least 15 of its residents killed in Hamas attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/border-town-identifies-at-least-15-of-its-residents-killed-in-hamas-attack/ |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007234157/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/border-town-identifies-at-least-15-of-its-residents-killed-in-hamas-attack/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |first=Ido|last=Efrati|title=10 Percent of Kibbutz Population Found Dead After Hamas Massacre in Southern Israel |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article/.premium/10-percent-of-kibbutz-population-found-dead-after-hamas-massacre-in-southern-israel/0000018b-191c-df31-a99f-7ddf54fa0000 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011170120/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article/.premium/10-percent-of-kibbutz-population-found-dead-after-hamas-massacre-in-southern-israel/0000018b-191c-df31-a99f-7ddf54fa0000 |url-status=live}} Militants killed 16 or 17 Thai and Nepalese employees during the Kibbutz Alumim massacre.{{cite web |title=כיתת כוננות מול עשרות מחבלים: הקרב שהציל את קיבוץ עלומים |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/yoman/679665/ |date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=www.makorrishon.co.il |language=Hebrew |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014141250/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/yoman/679665/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Sue|last=Surkes|title=Thai laborers, the 'working hands' of Israeli farming, pay with blood |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/thai-laborers-the-working-hands-of-israeli-farming-pay-with-blood/ |date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=The Times of Israel|archive-date=October 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031135239/https://www.timesofisrael.com/thai-laborers-the-working-hands-of-israeli-farming-pay-with-blood/ |url-status=live}}

Other militants carried out an amphibious landing in Zikim.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Tom |date=October 7, 2023 |title=What's happening in Israel right now as it battles full-scale Hamas assault |url=https://www.newsweek.com/whats-happening-israel-right-now-it-battles-full-scale-hamas-assault-1832883 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Newsweek |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008210405/https://www.newsweek.com/whats-happening-israel-right-now-it-battles-full-scale-hamas-assault-1832883 |url-status=live}} Palestinian sources claim that the local Israeli army base was stormed.{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2023 |title=This is How Al-Qassam's Navel Units Stormed Zakim's Fortified Military Base – VIDEO |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/this-is-how-al-qassams-navel-units-stormed-zakims-fortified-military-base-video/ |access-date=October 9, 2023 |website=Palestine Chronicle |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009212918/https://www.palestinechronicle.com/this-is-how-al-qassams-navel-units-stormed-zakims-fortified-military-base-video/ |url-status=live}} The IDF said it had killed two attackers on the beach and destroyed four vessels, including two rubber boats. Militants also attacked a military base outside Nahal Oz, leaving 66 soldiers deadhttps://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session56/a-hrc-56-crp-3.pdf and taking seven hostage.{{Cite web |last=בוחבוט |first=אמיר |date=November 6, 2023 |title=חמ"ל התצפיתניות של נחל עוז נפתח מחדש: "נמשיך להילחם – לזכר חברותינו" |url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/3620800 |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=וואלה! חדשות |language=he |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213111410/https://news.walla.co.il/item/3620800 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Yaron |date=December 12, 2023 |script-title=he:תחקיר המתקפה על חמ"ל התצפיתניות חושף: החיילות נחנקו למוות מרימון גז רעיל שהושלך לחדר |title=tachkir hamitkafa al cham"le hitzpitaniot hoshef: hachaylot nechanku lemooot merimon gaz ra'il shehushlach lechader |trans-title=Investigation into the attack on the observation post reveals: The female soldiers were suffocated to death by a poisonous gas grenade thrown into the room |language=he |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-b520e558c2f5c81026.htm |access-date=December 13, 2023 |website=N12 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213111410/https://www.mako.co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-b520e558c2f5c81026.htm |url-status=live}} An IDF fire investigation found that the militants had "ignited substances... that contain toxic gasses which can cause suffocation within minutes, or even less" both at the base and in civilian locations.

{{main|Nova music festival massacre}}

File:Nova massacre dashcam.jpg

As part of the Hamas-led attack, 364 civilians were killed and many more wounded at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot near kibbutz Re'im. At least 40 hostages were also taken.

• {{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/death-count-from-massacre-at-reim-music-festival-reportedly-updated-to-364-a-third-of-oct-7-deaths/ |title=Death count from Re'im music festival massacre reportedly updated to 364 — a third of Oct. 7 fatalities |work=The Times of Israel |date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117222212/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/death-count-from-massacre-at-reim-music-festival-reportedly-updated-to-364-a-third-of-oct-7-deaths/ |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/new-footage-shows-british-israeli-soldier-toss-grenades-back-at-hamas-13008579 |title=New footage shows British-Israeli soldier toss grenades back at Hamas |work=Sky News |date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121154502/https://news.sky.com/story/new-footage-shows-british-israeli-soldier-toss-grenades-back-at-hamas-13008579 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cpl-liel-vainshtein-19-former-child-star-slain-at-music-festival/ |title=Cpl. Liel Vainshtein, 19: Former child star slain at music festival |work=The Times of Israel |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116021039/https://www.timesofisrael.com/cpl-liel-vainshtein-19-former-child-star-slain-at-music-festival/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Gillett |first1=Francesca |date=October 8, 2023 |title=How an Israel music festival turned into a nightmare after Hamas attack |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008143208/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |archive-date=October 8, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Tabachnick |first1=Cara |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Israelis search for loved ones with posts and pleas on social media |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israelis-search-loved-ones-posts-pleas-social-media-hamas-attack/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008061931/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israelis-search-loved-ones-posts-pleas-social-media-hamas-attack/ |archive-date=October 8, 2023}} This mass killing had the largest number of casualties out of a number of massacres targeting Israeli civilians in communities adjacent to Gaza that were part of the October 7 attack, alongside those at the communities of Netiv HaAsara, Be'eri, Kfar Aza, Nir Oz, and Holit.{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Hamas Leaves Trail of Terror in Israel |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011163643/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}

At 6:30 a.m., around sunrise, rockets were noticed in the sky. Around 7:00 a.m., a siren warned of an incoming rocket attack, prompting festival-goers to flee.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Hamas gunmen open fire on hundreds at music festival in southern Israel |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hamas-gunmen-open-fire-hundreds-music-festival-southern-israel-kibbutz-reim/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008062414/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hamas-gunmen-open-fire-hundreds-music-festival-southern-israel-kibbutz-reim/ |url-status=live}} Subsequently, armed militants, dressed in military attire and using motorcycles, trucks and powered paragliders, surrounded the festival grounds and indiscriminately fired on people attempting to escape. Attendees seeking refuge nearby, in bomb shelters, bushes, and orchards, were killed while in hiding. Those who reached the road and parking lot were trapped in a traffic jam as militants fired at vehicles. The militants executed some wounded people at point-blank range as they crouched on the ground.{{Cite web |last1=DeBre |first1=Isabel |last2=Biesecker |first2=Michael |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Israeli survivors recount terror at music festival, where Hamas militants killed at least 260 |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-music-festival-6a55aae2375944f10ecc4c52d05f2ffe |access-date=October 11, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011145548/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-music-festival-6a55aae2375944f10ecc4c52d05f2ffe |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2023 |title=What to know about the deadly Hamas attack on an Israeli music festival |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/what-to-know-about-deadly-hamas-attack-on-the-israeli-music-festival |access-date=October 11, 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011170907/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/what-to-know-about-deadly-hamas-attack-on-the-israeli-music-festival |url-status=live}}

The details of the hostages' whereabouts and conditions are not publicly known.{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023|first=Amanda|last=Borschel-Dan|title=Thousands flee rocket and gunfire at all-night desert 'Nature Party'; dozens missing |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-flee-rocket-and-gunfire-at-all-night-desert-nature-party-dozens-missing/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007231525/https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-flee-rocket-and-gunfire-at-all-night-desert-nature-party-dozens-missing/ |archive-date=October 7, 2023}} The massacre at the festival has been described as the largest terror attack in Israel's history{{Cite web |last=Debre |first=Isabel |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Israeli survivors recount terror at music festival, where Hamas militants killed at least 260 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hamas-attack-music-festival-led-chaos-frantic-attempts-103824517 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |publisher=ABC News |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011202607/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/hamas-attack-music-festival-led-chaos-frantic-attempts-103824517 |url-status=live}}[https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2023/10/09/israel-has-suffered-the-biggest-terror-attack-in-its-history-how-will-it-respond Israel has suffered the biggest terror attack in its history. How will it respond?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010034417/https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2023/10/09/israel-has-suffered-the-biggest-terror-attack-in-its-history-how-will-it-respond|date=October 10, 2023}}, The Economist, October 9, 2023 and the worst Israeli civilian massacre ever.{{Cite magazine |last1=Browne |first1=David |last2=Dillon |first2=Nancy |last3=Grow |first3=Kory |title='They Wanted to Dance in Peace. And They Got Slaughtered'. Israel's Supernova festival celebrated music and unity. It turned into the deadliest concert attack in history |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hamas-israel-nova-music-festival-massacre-1234854306/ |date=October 15, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018015038/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hamas-israel-nova-music-festival-massacre-1234854306/ |url-status=live}}

{{main|Kfar Aza massacre}}

During the Hamas-led attack, around 70 Hamas militants attacked Kfar Aza, a kibbutz about {{Convert|3|km|mi|sp=us}} from the border with the Gaza Strip, massacring residents and abducting several hostages.

The kibbutz had more than 700 residents, and it took the IDF two days to wrest back full control of it. While the exact number of Israelis killed is unknown, as of October 15, 2023, 52 were listed as dead and another 20 or more were missing.{{cite news |first=Matan |last=Tzuri |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1isvvtba |title=A quarter of the residents of Nir Oz are either dead or missing |work=Ynet |date=October 15, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026222138/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1isvvtba |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Richard |date=October 13, 2023 |title=They came at dawn: inside the Kfar Aza kibbutz massacre |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/kibbutz-israel-kfar-aza-israel-hamas-war-k8h77bskq |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014095537/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/kibbutz-israel-kfar-aza-israel-hamas-war-k8h77bskq |url-status=live}}

{{main|Be'eri massacre}}

File:Gaza_envelope_after_coordinated_surprise_offensive_on_Israel,_October_2023_(KBG_GPO03).jpg]]

On the morning of the attack, around 70 Hamas militants{{Cite news |last=Kierszenbaum |first=Quique |date=October 11, 2023 |title='It was a pogrom': Be'eri survivors on the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/11/it-was-a-pogrom-beeri-survivors-horrific-attack-hamas-terrorists |access-date=October 11, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011200820/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/11/it-was-a-pogrom-beeri-survivors-horrific-attack-hamas-terrorists |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |first1=Amanda |last1=Macias |first2=Sam |last2=Meredith |first3=Ruxandra |last3=Iordache |title=Israel-Hamas war live updates: 22 U.S. citizens confirmed dead; Israel to form emergency government |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/11/live-updates-latest-news-on-gaza-and-israel-hamas-conflict.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |work=CNBC |date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011194235/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/11/live-updates-latest-news-on-gaza-and-israel-hamas-conflict.html |url-status=live}} carried out a massacre at Be'eri, an Israeli kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. At least 130 people were killed in the attack, including women (such as peace activist Vivian Silver),{{Cite news |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Canadian Israeli peace activist Vivian Silver, feared to be held hostage, confirmed killed in Hamas attacks |publisher=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/israel-gaza-vivian-silver-1.7027333 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113233658/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/israel-gaza-vivian-silver-1.7027333 |url-status=live}} children, and infants,{{Cite web |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14679668 |script-title=he:עדויות תושבי העוטף ממתקפת הפתע על ישראל: "טובחים כאן בתינוקות" |title=eduyot toshvi ha'otef memitkafat hafta al yisral: "tovchim kan batinokot" |trans-title=Testimonies from residents of the encirclement from a surprise attack on Israel: "Babies are being slaughtered here" |access-date=October 10, 2023 |work=Israel Hayom |date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |language=he |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009173239/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14679668 |url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=December 2024}} claiming the lives of 10% of the community's residents. Dozens of homes were also burned down.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sktjpy11wt |title='After a minute, my friend was murdered in front of me' |first1=Matan |last1=Tzuri |first2=Roni |last2=Green Shaulov |first3=Adam |last3=Kutub |date=October 9, 2023 |work=Ynet |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010062239/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sktjpy11wt |url-status=live}} Several newspapers called the massacre an act of terrorism; some compared the brutality of the atrocities to that of ISIS.

• {{Cite news |last=Hutchinson |first=Bill |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Israel's 'Ground Zero:' The Be'eri Kibbutz was among the bloodiest scenes of the Hamas attack |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/israels-ground-zero-beeri-kibbutz-bloodiest-scenes-hamas/story?id=103936668 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |publisher=ABC News |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015025342/https://abcnews.go.com/International/israels-ground-zero-beeri-kibbutz-bloodiest-scenes-hamas/story?id=103936668 |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Hundreds of soldiers waited outside Be'eri with terrorists still inside, survivor says |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-soldiers-stood-outside-beeri-as-massacre-took-place-survivor-says/ |access-date=November 7, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107215753/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-soldiers-stood-outside-beeri-as-massacre-took-place-survivor-says/ |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |title=Verbatim report of proceedings – The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel's right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza (debate) – Wednesday, 18 October 2023 |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2023-10-18-INT-3-010-0000_EN.html |access-date=November 17, 2023 |website=europarl.europa.eu |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117103858/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-9-2023-10-18-INT-3-010-0000_EN.html |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news |date=October 9, 2023 |title='Isis-level savagery' by Hamas killed 11 Americans, says US |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67056761 |access-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117103859/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67056761 |url-status=live}} Hostages were taken, leading to a standoff with the IDF.{{cite news |last1=Federman |first1=Josef |last2=Adwan |first2=Issam |title=Hamas says it is holding dozens of Israeli soldiers captured in surprise incursion |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163600/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |location=Jerusalem |date=October 7, 2023 |quote=Hagari said militants were holding hostages in standoffs in two towns, Beeri and Ofakim, which is 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Gaza border. |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=CCTV Shows Hamas Militants' Attack on Kibbutz Be'eri |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/video/cctv-shows-hamas-militants-attack-on-kibbutz-beeri/BD0AE9E0-36E8-43A1-88F9-30794FC02977.html |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016065135/https://www.wsj.com/video/cctv-shows-hamas-militants-attack-on-kibbutz-beeri/BD0AE9E0-36E8-43A1-88F9-30794FC02977.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Terrorists seize house in Ofakim, negotiations underway for hostages |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-762112|access-date=October 8, 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Yanir|last=Yagna-Walla|archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008002502/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-762112 |url-status=live}} According to survivors, there were also deaths from friendly fire; an Israeli tank fired on a house known to contain around 40 Hamas fighters and 14 hostages, among them two children, killing all hostages in the house but one.{{Cite news |last=Limone |first=Noa |date=December 13, 2023 |title=If Israel Used a Controversial Procedure Against Its Citizens, We Need to Talk About It Now |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-12-13/ty-article-opinion/.premium/if-israel-used-a-procedure-against-its-citizens-we-need-to-talk-about-it-now/0000018c-6383-de43-affd-f783212e0000 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231214060525/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2023-12-13/ty-article-opinion/.premium/if-israel-used-a-procedure-against-its-citizens-we-need-to-talk-about-it-now/0000018c-6383-de43-affd-f783212e0000 |archive-date=December 14, 2023}}

A squad of Hamas militants that arrived in a van attacked the moshav of Yakhini.{{cite news |script-title=he:מגיעים בטנדר, פורקים – וטובחים: תיעודים מהזוועות במתקפת חמאס |title=megi'im betander, porkim – vetuvchim: ti'udim mehizva'ot bemitkafat chamas |trans-title=Arriving in a van, unloading – and slaughtering: Documents from the horrors of the Hamas attack |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bypjr5gbt |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |work=Ynet |language=he |last1=Tzuri |first1=Matan |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011114214/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/bypjr5gbt |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=CCTV footage shows fighting near kibbutz in Yachini |url=https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW900811102023RP1 |date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |publisher=Reuters |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107024459/https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/idRW900811102023RP1 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/news/politics/security/ny6f0-903750047/ |script-title=he:הקרב על יכיני: "רואים שיירות מחבלים, הבנו שזה משהו אחר" |title=hakrav al yechini: "ro'im shayerot mechavlim, havnu sheza mishehu achar" |trans-title=The Battle of Yakhini: "We saw terrorist convoys, we realized it was something else" |publisher=Kan 13 |first=Yossi |last=Eli |date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |language=he |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126104451/https://13tv.co.il/item/news/politics/security/ny6f0-903750047/ |url-status=live}} There were seven casualties in the moshav,{{cite web |title=Israeli casualties of October 7th, 2023 |url=https://zakaworld.org/israeli-casualties-of-october-7th-2023/ |date=October 23, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=ZAKA |archive-date=December 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201105907/https://zakaworld.org/israeli-casualties-of-october-7th-2023/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='I will find the time to mourn my son, but now we have to fight,' IDF Lt. Col. says |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1g4ty2za |date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Ynet |last1=Keren |first1=Yoav |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106124642/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1g4ty2za |url-status=live}} including a border police officer.{{cite web |title=אני אהיה ראשונה, תחפה עליי ואני אחפה עליך": לוחמת מג"ב רווית אסייג נפלה בקרב במושב יכיני" |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14702311 |date=October 12, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Israel Hayom |language=Hebrew |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014184939/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14702311 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=There are human beings who are suffering on both sides of the war |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article280718955.html |date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Miami Herald}} An IDF major in the Maglan unit was also injured.{{cite news |title=מעטים מול רבים: הצל"שניק שלקח פיקוד על הפלגה, והקצין שהציל תצפיתניות |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hj00nme4b6 |date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |website=Ynet |language=Hebrew |last1=זיתון |first1=יואב |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123154805/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hj00nme4b6 |url-status=live}} The community's security coordinator was on holiday in Thailand at the time and remotely directed the moshav's 18-person protection team's response. Yamam and Sayeret Matkal IDF units eventually arrived and killed all the attackers.

File:רכבים בניר יצחק שנשרפו על ידי מחבלים שפלשו מעזה.jpg

Approximately 90 militants infiltrated kibbutz Ein HaShlosha, killing four civilians, looting, shooting, and burning houses.{{cite news |last1=Zomer |first1=Navit |title=Rediscovering normality: Kibbutzim in southern Israel are bouncing back |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/r18qmczmr |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=Ynetnews |date=May 15, 2024 |archive-date=May 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531053330/https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/r18qmczmr |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Michelle |title=What happened on my kibbutz was apocalyptic |url=https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/what-happened-on-my-kibbutz-was-apocalyptic/ |website=www.jewishnews.co.uk |date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013080324/https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/what-happened-on-my-kibbutz-was-apocalyptic/ |url-status=live}} An 80-year-old Argentinian-Israeli woman died after her home was set on fire and she was unable to escape.{{Cite news |title=Murió una argentina en el ataque terrorista a Israel: tenía 80 años y vivía en un kibutz |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2023/10/08/murio-una-argentina-en-el-ataque-terrorista-a-israel-tenia-80-anos-y-vivia-en-un-kibutz/ |last=Kolesnicov |first=Patricia |date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015210211/https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2023/10/08/murio-una-argentina-en-el-ataque-terrorista-a-israel-tenia-80-anos-y-vivia-en-un-kibutz/ |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |work=Infobae |language=es |trans-title=An Argentine woman died in the terrorist attack in Israel: she was 80 years old and lived in a kibbutz}} A standoff between the attackers and the residents' security team lasted six hours.{{cite news |last=Tzuri |first=Matan |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Untrained, lacking proper arms, local security teams defended their Gaza border homes |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1yx3zhwt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014221936/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1yx3zhwt |archive-date=October 14, 2023}} The leader of the security team, who was in his sixties, was killed in the firefight. A 63-year-old grandmother was also among those killed in the attack.{{cite news |last=יגורוב |first=איליה |date=October 8, 2023 |title=בתה של מרסל טליה ז"ל סיפרה בעצב: "אימא שלי נרצחה יממה בלבד לאחר שילדתי" |language=he |trans-title=Marcelle Talia's daughter sadly said: My mother was murdered just a day after I gave birth |work=Israel Hayom |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14686235 |url-status=live |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017204916/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/local/article/14686235}} A 39-year-old Israeli-Chilean woman was shot eight times.{{Cite web |title=Hija de chilena murió en Israel tras ataque de Hamas: habría recibido 8 disparos |url=https://www.24horas.cl/internacional/noticias/hija-de-chilena-murio-en-israel-tras-ataque-de-hamas-habria-recibido-8-disparos |date=7 October 2023|access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=www.24horas.cl |language=es-CL |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008033837/https://www.24horas.cl/internacional/noticias/hija-de-chilena-murio-en-israel-tras-ataque-de-hamas-habria-recibido-8-disparos |url-status=live}}

Thirty survivors were discovered in the kibbutz three days after the massacre,{{cite web |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |title=30 missing people found safe in Gaza border kibbutz after hiding out for 3 days |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/30-missing-people-found-safe-in-gaza-border-kibbutz-after-hiding-out-for-3-days/ |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013002449/https://www.timesofisrael.com/30-missing-people-found-safe-in-gaza-border-kibbutz-after-hiding-out-for-3-days/ |url-status=live}} 14 of whom were Thai nationals.{{Cite news |last=Friedson |first=Yael |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Thirty Missing Who Hid From Terrorists at Israeli Kibbutz Near Gaza Border Rescued |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article/.premium/thirty-missing-who-hid-from-terrorists-at-israeli-kibbutz-are-rescued/0000018b-1aae-d2fc-a59f-dbbfc0290000 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014012856/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article/.premium/thirty-missing-who-hid-from-terrorists-at-israeli-kibbutz-are-rescued/0000018b-1aae-d2fc-a59f-dbbfc0290000 |url-status=live}}

{{Main|Psyduck music festival massacre}}

Psyduck was a small trance music festival that took place in the open fields near kibbutz Nir Oz, about {{convert|2|km|mi}} from the border of Gaza. The event drew around 100 participants. Hamas militants attacked the festival, killing 17 Israelis. Some were fatally shot at the festival site, while others were killed as they attempted to escape to nearby kibbutzim. Most survivors hid under small bushes until Israel Defense Forces rescued them a few hours later.{{Cite news |last=שמעוני |first=מור |date=December 1, 2023 |title="כשעלה הבוקר התחיל מטח, כל אחד רץ למקום אחר" {{!}} הטבח במסיבה המחתרתית |language=he |trans-title=When morning came, a barrage of rockets started and everyone scattered {{!}} The massacre at the underground party |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hkdnxour6 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218202448/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hkdnxour6 |url-status=live}}

{{main|Battle of Re'im}}

At 10 a.m., less than five hours after the attacks began, fighting was reported at Re'im military base, headquarters of the Gaza Division.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=At least 7 Nepali injured, 17 held captive by Hamas in Israel: Nepal's envoy |work=ANI |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/at-least-7-nepali-injured-17-held-captive-by-hamas-in-israel-nepals-envoy20231007181710/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163708/https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/at-least-7-nepali-injured-17-held-captive-by-hamas-in-israel-nepals-envoy20231007181710/ |archive-date=October 7, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Dan |date=October 7, 2023 |title=How the Hamas attack on Israel unfolded |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-hamas-attack-israel-unfolded-2023-10-07/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007150408/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-hamas-attack-israel-unfolded-2023-10-07/ |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}} It was later reported that Hamas took control of the base and took several Israeli soldiers captive before the IDF regained control later in the day.{{cite web |title=Israel says it regains control of Re'im army base |date=October 7, 2023 |url=https://defence-blog.com/israel-says-it-regains-control-of-reim-army-base/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007204208/https://defence-blog.com/israel-says-it-regains-control-of-reim-army-base/ |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |publisher=Defense Blog}}{{Cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |date=October 7, 2023 |title=IDF regains control of Re'im military base from Hamas terrorists in southern Israel |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-regains-control-of-reim-military-base-from-hamas-terrorists-in-southern-israel/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007204043/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-regains-control-of-reim-military-base-from-hamas-terrorists-in-southern-israel/ |archive-date=October 7, 2023}} The base was reportedly the location of IDF drone and surveillance operations. Hamas reportedly posted video of dead Israeli soldiers it had killed at the base.{{cite news |first=Daniella |last=Cheslow |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Israel and the West reckon with a high-tech failure |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/10/israel-hamas-technology-failure-00120667 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017005803/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/10/israel-hamas-technology-failure-00120667 |url-status=live}}

Nir Am was attacked but no residents were harmed. Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, the 25-year-old security coordinator, alongside her uncle Ami, led a guard detail that killed multiple militants attempting to infiltrate a nearby chicken farm. They successfully deterred the rest of the invading militants from entering the community.{{cite news |title=Israeli woman hailed as a hero for killing terrorists |url=https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/israeli-woman-hailed-as-a-hero-for-killing-terrorists/news-story/aebb533af17feddc4ebe761c7ba38ae5 |work=news.com.au |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012034906/https://www.news.com.au/world/middle-east/israeli-woman-hailed-as-a-hero-for-killing-terrorists/news-story/aebb533af17feddc4ebe761c7ba38ae5 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=In Ofakim, one woman's graceful bravery offers precious solace to a grieving nation |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-ofakim-one-womans-graceful-bravery-offers-precious-solace-to-a-grieving-nation/ |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011143848/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-ofakim-one-womans-graceful-bravery-offers-precious-solace-to-a-grieving-nation/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Israeli Woman Who Helped Save a Kibbutz: 'I'm Not a Hero, I Wasn't There by Myself' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/israeli-woman-who-helped-save-a-kibbutz-im-not-a-hero-i-wasnt-there-by-myself/0000018b-1e4f-d47b-a7fb-bfdf2e560000 |work=Haaretz |first=Ran |last=Shimoni |date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013003223/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/israeli-woman-who-helped-save-a-kibbutz-im-not-a-hero-i-wasnt-there-by-myself/0000018b-1e4f-d47b-a7fb-bfdf2e560000 |url-status=live}}

{{main|Battle of Ofakim}}

In the town of Ofakim, 47 were people killed in the October 7, attacks.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-jul-29-day-297-golans-druze-demand-reprisal-for-12-killed-by-hezbollah/ |title=Daily Briefing Jul 29: Day 297 – Golan's Druze demand reprisal for 12 killed by Hezbollah |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=August 24, 2024 |archive-date=August 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801223258/https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-jul-29-day-297-golans-druze-demand-reprisal-for-12-killed-by-hezbollah/ |url-status=live}} Ofakim was the furthest point reached by the initial intense attacks on October 7. A large proportion of the population of the town is working-class Jews of North African descent.{{cite news |title=DIARY: Under siege by Hamas militants, a hometown and the lives within it are scarred forever |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-militants-attack-cec3cc9e14969fd100d342ad1b90f7e4 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |publisher=Associated Press |date=October 20, 2023 |language=en}} Ofakim was one of the first locations where a "hostages situation" was reported.{{cite news |last1=Dahman |first1=Ibrahim |last2=Gold |first2=Hadas |last3=Iszo |first3=Lauren |last4=Tal |first4=Amir |last5=Salman |first5=Abeer |last6=Khadder |first6=Kareem |last7=Greene |first7=Richard Allen |last8=Alam |first8=Hande Atay |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Netanyahu says Israel is 'at war' after Hamas launches surprise attack, takes hostages |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=July 8, 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en |quote=Another IDF spokesman, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, said there were hostage situations in two locations – Ofakim and Beeri. |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094105/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/middleeast/sirens-israel-rocket-attack-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}} The militants targeted the parts of the town where the housing was older and did not have individual bomb shelters in every home, and locals reported that the invaders had shot people who were trying to get to communal shelters.{{cite news |title=The Israeli Town of Ofakim Has Been Cleared of Terrorists but the Blood and Shock Remain |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-08/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-israeli-town-of-ofakim-has-been-cleared-of-terrorists-but-the-blood-and-shock-remain/0000018b-0fe0-dfff-a7eb-aff8ad030000 |access-date=July 7, 2024 |work=Haaretz |date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008183420/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-08/ty-article-magazine/.premium/the-israeli-town-of-ofakim-has-been-cleared-of-terrorists-but-the-blood-and-shock-remain/0000018b-0fe0-dfff-a7eb-aff8ad030000 |url-status=live}}

A number of Qassam Brigades militants infiltrated the Bedouin city of Rahat, north-east of Ofakim and 30 kilometres from Gaza, representing the furthest extent of the incursions by Palestinian militant groups on October 7. Over a month after the initial attack, two militants were arrested by Israeli police.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-2-gaza-terrorists-found-in-rahat-a-month-after-october-7-assault/ |title=2 Gaza terrorists found in Rahat a month after October 7 assault |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=June 18, 2024 |archive-date=April 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420074838/https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-2-gaza-terrorists-found-in-rahat-a-month-after-october-7-assault/ |url-status=live}}

A Hamas group carried intelligence information and maps guiding it to the border of the West Bank, suggesting it had intentions of going all the way to the West Bank.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/12/hamas-planning-terror-gaza-israel/ |title=Hamas envisioned deeper attacks, aiming to provoke an Israeli war |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 12, 2023 |author=Shira Rubin and Joby Warrick |access-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113024604/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/12/hamas-planning-terror-gaza-israel/ |url-status=live}}

According to a report in Asharq Al-Awsat, two Hamas units had plans of reaching Shikma Prison in Ashkelon (13 km from the Gaza Strip) with the aim of freeing Palestinian inmates. One cell got lost and ended up in Sderot, at which point they were told to change their plans and operate in Sderot. A second cell which was operating in Zikim was commanded to go up to Ashkelon, but the cell was completely gunned down by Israeli security forces in Zikim.{{cite news |url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-planned-ashkelon-jail-raid-to-free-palestinian-prisoners-on-october-7-report/|title= Hamas planned Ashkelon jail raid to free Palestinian prisoners on October 7 – report|newspaper=The Times of Israel |date=February 20, 2024 |author= |access-date=May 3, 2025 |archive-date=February 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221033444/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-planned-ashkelon-jail-raid-to-free-palestinian-prisoners-on-october-7-report/|url-status=live}}

{{main|Gaza war hostage crisis}}

File:Hamas gunmen capturing civilian hostages.png

Soon after the start of the Hamas operation, there were reports that many civilians and soldiers had been taken as captives back to the Gaza Strip. Later in the day Hamas announced it had captured enough Israeli soldiers to force a prisoner swap,{{cite news |title=Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163709/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |url-status=live}} and Israel confirmed hostages had been taken.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/07/israel-declares-state-of-war-alert-after-surprise-hamas-attack.html |title=Israel vows 'mighty vengeance' after deadliest day in 50 years following surprise Hamas attack |date=October 7, 2023 |work=CNBC |access-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219030130/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/07/israel-declares-state-of-war-alert-after-surprise-hamas-attack.html |url-status=live}}

In Be'eri, up to 50 people were taken hostage; after an 18-hour standoff between militants and IDF forces, they were freed.{{cite news |last=Davies |first=Alys |date=October 8, 2023 |title=What we know about Israeli hostages taken by Hamas |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67044255 |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008025612/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67044255 |archive-date=October 8, 2023}} Hostages were also reported taken in Ofakim, where policemen led by Chief Superintendent Jayar Davidov engaged Palestinian militants in a shootout on October 7; Davidov and three of his men were killed, and the IDF later rescued two Israeli hostages in the suburb of Urim.{{cite news |title=ג'יי אר דוידוב, מפקד משטרת רהט, נהרג בקרב ליד אופקים |url=https://www.mako.co.il/men-men_news/Article-6a787420aab0b81027.htm |access-date=19 May 2025 |publisher=Mako |date=7 October 2025 |language=he}} There were reports of militants killing and stealing family pets.{{Cite news |last=Leshem |first=Eitan |date=October 14, 2023 |title="הם היו בבית 3–4 ימים, חלקם בלי אוכל, חלקם לבד, לא מעט מהם הגיעו אלינו רועדים": הזוועה לא פסחה על חיות המחמד |language=he |trans-title=They were in their houses for 3–4 days, some of them without food, some of them alone, quite a few of them came to us trembling: The horror did not spare the pets |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/travel/2023-10-14/ty-article/.premium/0000018b-22e4-dd34-afdf-f7e79ac30000 |access-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020003819/https://www.haaretz.co.il/travel/2023-10-14/ty-article/.premium/0000018b-22e4-dd34-afdf-f7e79ac30000 |url-status=live}}

Hamas took many hostages back to Gaza. On October 16, they said they were holding 250 hostages{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Hamas says 250 people held hostage in Gaza |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/16/israeli-hostages-hamas-gaza |access-date=October 17, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016235352/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/16/israeli-hostages-hamas-gaza |url-status=live}} and that it had done so to force Israel to release its Palestinian prisoners.{{cite news |title=Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners |publisher=Al Jazeera English |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |url-status=live |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163709/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |archive-date=October 7, 2023}} In addition to hostages with only Israeli citizenship, almost half of the hostages were foreign nationals or held multiple citizenships.{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2023 |title=More than half of Hamas' hostages have foreign nationality – Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/more-than-half-hamas-hostages-have-foreign-nationality-israel-2023-10-25/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106003621/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/more-than-half-hamas-hostages-have-foreign-nationality-israel-2023-10-25/ |archive-date=November 6, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}} Some hostages were Negev Bedouins.{{Cite news |date=October 17, 2023 |title=Israel's Negev Bedouins, forgotten victims of the Hamas attack, rally to provide aid |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231017-negev-bedouins-israel-s-forgotten-victims-of-the-hamas-attack-rally-to-provide-aid |access-date=April 25, 2024 |work=France 24 |archive-date=April 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422233135/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231017-negev-bedouins-israel-s-forgotten-victims-of-the-hamas-attack-rally-to-provide-aid |url-status=live }} Some of the hostages, including three members of the Bibas family, were subsequently handed over to other militant groups. Palestinian Islamic Jihad ended up holding at least 30 of the hostages, but it is unclear whether they or Hamas originally kidnapped them.

According to Ariel Merari, the raiders "were ordered to kidnap as many [people] as possible... [and] they intentionally kidnapped a populace that is sensitive from the aspect of Israeli public opinion".{{Cite interview |last=מררי |first=אריאל |interviewer=ליאור קודנר |title=פרופ' אריאל מררי: אין לי ספק – חמאס חטף תינוקות כדי להתגונן ממתקפה ישראלית |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/digital/podcast/weekly/2023-11-12/ty-article-podcast/0000018b-c36d-dc2b-a3fb-e7fd61560000 |date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112174140/https://www.haaretz.co.il/digital/podcast/weekly/2023-11-12/ty-article-podcast/0000018b-c36d-dc2b-a3fb-e7fd61560000 |url-status=live }} Merari doubts that Hamas will agree to releasing all of the hostages in "one go" regardless of how many of its prisoners are released, since the hostages are its only guarantee against complete destruction at Israel's hands. He believes Hamas will try to force a ceasefire and protract the release for weeks or months, until an Israeli offensive is no longer seen as viable.

{{Further|Casualties of the Gaza war}}

The total number killed during the attack, based on social security data, is 1,175, of whom 379 were from Israeli security forces and 796 were civilians (725 Israeli and 71 foreign). 26.6% of those killed were female. Initially up to 1,400 people were reported killed; on November 10, this was revised to 1,200,{{Cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/israel-revises-down-october-7-hamas-attack-death-toll-to-1-200-foreign-ministry-07097f94 |title=Israel Revises Down October 7 Hamas Attack Death Toll To 1,200: Foreign Ministry |website=Barron's |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110195126/https://www.barrons.com/news/israel-revises-down-october-7-hamas-attack-death-toll-to-1-200-foreign-ministry-07097f94 |url-status=live}} before being revised further in December. The casualties included 36 children; the youngest person killed was 10 months old, and 25 were over age 80. The attack was the deadliest day in Israel's history.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2024 |title=Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7: The deadliest day in Israel's history |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20241007-hamas-terrorist-attacks-7-october-deadliest-day-israel-history-anniversary |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=France 24 |language=en}} Some, including then-US President Joe Biden, have said it was also the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Hamas attack 'deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust', says Biden, as Israeli jets pound Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/12/israel-hamas-war-biden-jews-holocaust-palestine-iran-warning |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Others such as historian Enzo Traverso and Holocaust and Genocide scholar Raz Segal have warned against invoking the Holocaust in relation to October 7.{{Cite web |last1=Confavreux |first1=Josep |last2=Dejean |first2=Mathieu |date=November 5, 2023 |title=Enzo Traverso : la guerre à Gaza « brouille la mémoire de l'Holocauste » |trans-title=Enzo Traverso: Gaza war 'blurs memory of Holocaust' |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/051123/enzo-traverso-la-guerre-gaza-brouille-la-memoire-de-l-holocauste |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=Mediapart |language=fr}}{{Cite news |last=Segal |first=Raz |author-link=Raz Segal |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Israel must stop weaponising the Holocaust |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/24/israel-gaza-palestinians-holocaust |access-date=February 3, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Segal condemned the "weaponizations of Holocaust memory" by Biden, Israeli politicians and others, saying it is done "not in order to stand with powerless people facing the prospect of genocidal violence, but to support and justify an extremely violent attack by a powerful state and, at the same time, distort this reality."

File:(Explicit Violent Content) Footage of bodycam of Israeli elite unit clearing the Nova music festival area on 7th October.webm]]

The attack left over 3,400 wounded,{{cite news |title=Israeli death toll from Hamas attack surpasses 1,000, top military officer says |url=https://thehill.com/policy/4247805-israeli-death-toll-from-hamas-attack-surpasses-1000-top-military-officer-says/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |work=The Hill |date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011133836/https://thehill.com/policy/4247805-israeli-death-toll-from-hamas-attack-surpasses-1000-top-military-officer-says/ |url-status=live}} and 247 soldiers and civilians were taken hostage. On October 19, Israeli officials reported an additional 100 to 200 missing.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-19/ty-article/.premium/israel-believes-some-of-those-missing-after-hamas-attack-will-not-be-found/0000018b-4942-d5d2-afef-cdff5b7f0000|title=Israel Believes Some of Those Missing After Hamas' Attack Will Not Be Found|work=Haaretz|first=Yaniv|last=Kubovich|date=October 19, 2023|access-date=October 20, 2023|archive-date=October 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020001636/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-19/ty-article/.premium/israel-believes-some-of-those-missing-after-hamas-attack-will-not-be-found/0000018b-4942-d5d2-afef-cdff5b7f0000|url-status=live}} By July 2024, the number of missing was down to 1. Israeli casualties include about 70 Arab Israelis, predominantly from Negev Bedouin communities.

• {{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Holly |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Palestinian paramedic missing after Hamas attack at Israel music festival |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/10/12/paramedic-missing-hamas-attack-israel-music-festival/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=The National |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012180504/https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/10/12/paramedic-missing-hamas-attack-israel-music-festival/ |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news |title=Bedouin Leader in Israel Says Community Lost Lives in Attack |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza/card/bedouin-leader-criticizes-israeli-response-qnYiTMMNVllFq1upZmES |access-date=October 11, 2023|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |first=Anat |last=Peled |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011073732/https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza/card/bedouin-leader-criticizes-israeli-response-qnYiTMMNVllFq1upZmES |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news |last1=Sharon |first1=Jeremy |last2=Bachner |first2=Michael |title=Ben Gvir widely panned for warning of renewed Jewish-Arab intercommunal riots |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-gvir-widely-panned-for-warning-of-renewed-jewish-arab-intercommunal-riots/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011190503/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-gvir-widely-panned-for-warning-of-renewed-jewish-arab-intercommunal-riots/ |url-status=live}}
• {{Cite news |title=At least six Arab Israelis missing since Hamas attack, likely kidnapped |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article-live/900-israelis-killed-2-400-wounded-in-war-with-hamas/0000018b-17bd-d465-abbb-17bf23000000 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |first1=Jack |last1=Khoury |first2=Nir |last2=Hasson |date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011013109/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-10/ty-article-live/900-israelis-killed-2-400-wounded-in-war-with-hamas/0000018b-17bd-d465-abbb-17bf23000000 |url-status=live}} The attack affected a province with a population of 4,000,000 Israelis, while the war displaced 300,000 Israelis.{{cite web |url=https://go.ifrc.org/emergencies/6678/details |title=Israel – Complex Emergency |newspaper=IFRC |date= |author= |access-date=January 21, 2024}}

On October 7, over 100 civilians were killed in the Be'eri massacre, including women and children, and over 270 people were killed at a music festival in Re'im. As of October 10, over 100 people had been reported killed in the Kfar Aza massacre, with the total death toll unknown.{{Cite web|title=Corpses and kid's bikes, burned homes and death in kibbutz where Hamas butchered 100|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/corpses-and-kids-bikes-burned-homes-and-death-in-kibbutz-where-hamas-butchered-100/|access-date=October 11, 2023|work=The Times of Israel|archive-date=October 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012092912/https://www.timesofisrael.com/corpses-and-kids-bikes-burned-homes-and-death-in-kibbutz-where-hamas-butchered-100/|url-status=live}} Nine people were fatally shot at a bus shelter in Sderot. At least four people were reported killed in Kuseife. At least 400 wounded were treated in Ashkelon,{{cite news|title='Nobody could help us' – Shock and anger in Israel's Ashkelon|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67048672 |access-date=October 9, 2023|publisher=BBC News|date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009000452/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67048672 |url-status=live}} while 280 others were reported in Beer Sheva, 60 of whom were in serious condition. In the north, injuries from rocket attacks were reported in Tel Aviv.{{cite news|last=Sella|first=Adam|date=October 8, 2023|title=Tel Aviv's residents start venturing out|publisher=Al Jazeera English|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/tel-avivs-resident-start-venturing-out |url-status=live |access-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008221205/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/8/tel-avivs-resident-start-venturing-out |archive-date=October 8, 2023}} At least 49 Israeli children and adolescents under the age of 19 were killed in the attack.{{cite news |title=14 kids under 10, 25 people over 80: Up-to-date breakdown of Oct 7 victims we know about |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/14-kids-under-10-25-people-over-80-up-to-date-breakdown-of-oct-7-victims-we-know-about/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204235558/https://www.timesofisrael.com/14-kids-under-10-25-people-over-80-up-to-date-breakdown-of-oct-7-victims-we-know-about/ |url-status=live }}

Former Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. striker Lior Asulin was among those killed in the Re'im music festival massacre.{{Cite news|date=October 8, 2023|title=Ex-soccer star Lior Asulin among those killed at nature party|work=The Times of Israel|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ex-soccer-star-lior-asulin-among-those-killed-at-nature-party/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008144950/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ex-soccer-star-lior-asulin-among-those-killed-at-nature-party/ |url-status=live}} The head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, Ofir Libstein, was killed in an exchange of fire with the militants.{{Cite news|last=Fabian|first=Emanuel|date=October 7, 2023|work=The Times of Israel|title=Head of Sha'ar Hanegev council Ofir Liebstein killed in gunfight with Hamas terrorists|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/head-of-shaar-hanegev-council-ofir-liebstein-killed-in-gunfight-with-hamas-terrorists/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094609/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/head-of-shaar-hanegev-council-ofir-liebstein-killed-in-gunfight-with-hamas-terrorists/ |url-status=live}} The police commander of Rahat, Jayar Davidov, was also killed.{{Cite news|date=October 8, 2023|title=The Chief of the Rahat police, Sen. Giyar Davidov, was killed today|url=https://cedarnews.net/task/breakingnews/news-task/640691/the-chief-of-the-rahat-police-sen-giyar-davidov-was-killed-today/ |access-date=October 7, 2023|website=Cedar News|language=ar |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007231427/https://cedarnews.net/task/breakingnews/news-task/640691/the-chief-of-the-rahat-police-sen-giyar-davidov-was-killed-today/ |url-status=live}} The IDF confirmed that 247 of its soldiers had been killed.{{cite news|title=Palestinians rush to buy food and struggle under strikes as Israel readies possible ground operation|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-cabinet-beb1fa2b9e4ede6cf4568dd6c86ff11a|access-date=October 12, 2023|publisher=Associated Press |date=October 12, 2023|archive-date=October 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012055133/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-cabinet-beb1fa2b9e4ede6cf4568dd6c86ff11a|url-status=live}} Among those 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;{{cite news|last=Fabian|first=Emanuel|date=October 8, 2023|title=IDF says commander of elite 'Ghost' unit among those killed in battles|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-commander-of-elite-ghost-unit-among-those-killed-in-battles/|work=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009001617/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-commander-of-elite-ghost-unit-among-those-killed-in-battles/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Commander of IDF's Nahal Brigade killed in clashes with Hamas on Gaza border|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/commander-of-idfs-nahal-brigade-killed-in-clashes-with-hamas-on-gaza-border/|work=The Times of Israel|date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007231424/https://www.timesofisrael.com/commander-of-idfs-nahal-brigade-killed-in-clashes-with-hamas-on-gaza-border/|url-status=live}} and Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginsberg, commander of the LOTAR Counter-terrorism Unit School.{{cite news|title=Israel at war: IDF discloses names of personnel killed in line of duty|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1696834023-israel-at-war-idf-discloses-names-of-its-personnel-that-were-killed-in-line-of-duty|work=i24|date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009170234/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1696834023-israel-at-war-idf-discloses-names-of-its-personnel-that-were-killed-in-line-of-duty |url-status=live}} The Druze deputy commander of the 300th "Baram" Regional Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Alim Abdallah, was killed in action along with two other soldiers while responding to an infiltration from southern Lebanon on October 9.{{cite news |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Officer, 2 soldiers killed in clash with terrorists on Lebanon border; mortars fired |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/mortars-fired-from-lebanon-infiltrators-killed-as-6-israelis-hurt-in-gunfight/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009170223/https://www.timesofisrael.com/mortars-fired-from-lebanon-infiltrators-killed-as-6-israelis-hurt-in-gunfight/ |url-status=live}} Israeli peace activist Hayim Katsman was killed in Holit. Peace activist Vivian Silver, originally thought to be taken hostage, was later confirmed to have been killed during the attack on Be'eri.{{cite news |date=November 14, 2023 |work=The New York Times |title=Peace Activist Thought to Be a Hostage in Gaza Is Confirmed Dead|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/world/middleeast/vivian-silver-canada-hamas-israel.html |first=Nadav |last=Gavrielov |access-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119194226/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/world/middleeast/vivian-silver-canada-hamas-israel.html |url-status=live}} Israel Hayom photographer Yaniv Zohar was killed in Nahal Oz.{{Cite news |date=October 15, 2023 |title=Yaniv, Yasmin, Keshet and Tehelet Zohar: News photographer, wife, daughters murdered |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/yaniv-zohar-54-news-photographer-and-family-murdered-son-escaped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207191540/https://www.timesofisrael.com/yaniv-zohar-54-news-photographer-and-family-murdered-son-escaped/ |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} The oldest person killed was Moshe Ridler, a 91 years old Holocaust survivor from kibbutz Holit. {{cite web | title=Swords of Iron: Civilian Casualties| website=HomePage | url=https://www.gov.il/en/pages/swords-of-iron-civilian-casualties | language=fr | access-date=March 7, 2025}} The youngest victim was Naama Abu Rashed, a Bedouin-Israeli, a baby delivered in an emergency procedure after the mother, who was nine months pregnant, was shot and killed in the attack. The baby survived for 14 hours before passing away on October 7.{{Cite web |last=All-Party Parliamentary Group Israel-UK |date=18 March 2025 |others=Chaired by Lord Roberts of Belgravia |title=7 October Parliamentary Commission Report |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67bf0490d422da027d74c55c/t/67d80d04b3bde77ec3ac2b66/1742212374048/The+7+October+Parliamentary+Commission+Report+-+The+Roberts+Report+-+APPG+UK-Israel.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318205950/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67bf0490d422da027d74c55c/t/67d80d04b3bde77ec3ac2b66/1742212374048/The+7+October+Parliamentary+Commission+Report+-+The+Roberts+Report+-+APPG+UK-Israel.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |via=Squarespace |pages=232, 267, 269}} Title at the foot of pages: The Roberts Report on The 7 October Attacks

File:120275 memorial site - reim forest PikiWiki Israel.jpg

The great number and geographical spread of the victims made locating all of their remains difficult. Several weeks after the massacre, once conventional search techniques had been exhausted, the IDF approached the Israel Nature and Parks Authority for help in tracking the flight paths of vultures, which resulted in the discovery of at least five more bodies.{{Cite news |last=לשם |first=איתן |date=November 8, 2023 |title=צה"ל משתמש במשדרים המוצמדים לעופות דורסים כדי לאתר גופות נסתרות בשטח |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/travel/2023-11-08/ty-article/.premium/0000018b-a3f9-dc0b-a1cb-e7fffd970000 |access-date=November 9, 2023}} The IDF also enlisted the aid of archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority to help recover remains that were so badly burned as to be indistinguishable from the surrounding rubble; the remains of at least ten victims have been recovered this way.{{Cite news |last=Gritten |first=David |date=November 7, 2023 |title=Israeli archaeologists help find remains of Hamas attack victims|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67343928 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112111142/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67343928 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Lubell |first1=Maayan |last2=Hayun |first2=Dedi |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Israeli archaeologists help find remains of Hamas attack victims |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-archaeologists-help-find-remains-hamas-attack-victims-2023-11-08/ |access-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112111142/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-archaeologists-help-find-remains-hamas-attack-victims-2023-11-08/ |url-status=live }}

Hamas took at least 247 Israelis hostage and transported them to Gaza. On October 8, Palestinian Islamic Jihad said it was holding at least 30 captives.{{cite news|last1=Pacchiani|first1=Gianluca|title=Islamic Jihad leader claims terror group is holding over 30 Israeli hostages|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-claims-terror-group-is-holding-over-30-israeli-hostages/|access-date=October 8, 2023|work=The Times of Israel |date=October 8, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008184608/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-claims-terror-group-is-holding-over-30-israeli-hostages/ |url-status=live}} At least four people were reportedly taken from Kfar Aza.{{cite news |last1=Goldenberg |first1=Tia |last2=Shurafa |first2=Wafaa |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Hamas fighters storm Israeli towns in surprise attack; Israel responds with deadly strikes on Gaza |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71 |url-status=live |access-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008051308/https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71 |archive-date=October 8, 2023}} 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,{{Cite news|title=Civilian hostages in Hamas custody killed in Be'eri near Gaza border, CNN verified videos show |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/09/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-beeri-hostages-killed-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=October 9, 2023 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009082701/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/09/middleeast/israel-gaza-hamas-beeri-hostages-killed-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live}} while Hamas said that an IDF airstrike on Gaza on October 9 killed four captives.{{Cite news|title=Israeli Strikes On Gaza Kill Four 'Prisoners': Hamas|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/israeli-strikes-on-gaza-kill-four-prisoners-hamas-76bea3c9?refsec=topics_afp-news |access-date=October 9, 2023|work=Barron's |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009130842/https://www.barrons.com/news/israeli-strikes-on-gaza-kill-four-prisoners-hamas-76bea3c9?refsec=topics_afp-news |url-status=live}} Yedioth Ahronoth photographer Roy Edan 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.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjsninbzp|title=Ynet Photographer missing with daughter, wife murdered |first1=Matan |last1=Tzuri |first2=Lior |last2=El-Hai |date=October 9, 2023 |work=Ynet |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012210310/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjsninbzp|url-status=live}} Edan's body was identified ten days later as one of the casualties of the Kfar Aza massacre.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=צלם ynet רועי עידן נרצח בכפר עזה עם אשתו, הבת הקטנה נעדרת, "חבר טוב ואדם מיוחד ויקר" |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/617228 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019214559/https://www.inn.co.il/news/617228 |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=inn.co.il |language=he}} American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of the kidnapped. On October 11, Hamas's Qassam Brigades released a video appearing to show the release of three hostages, a woman and two children, in an open area near a fence. Israel dismissed the video as "theatrics".{{Cite news |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/hamas-video-appears-to-show-release-of-woman-two-children |title=Hamas video appears to show release of woman, two children |date=October 11, 2023 |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012192501/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/11/hamas-video-appears-to-show-release-of-woman-two-children |url-status=live}} According to Ynet, there were also casualties from friendly fire on October 7 which the IDF believed "it would not be morally sound to investigate [...] due to the immense and complex quantity of them that took place in the kibbutzim and southern Israeli communities due to the challenging situations the soldiers were in at the time."{{cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |date=December 12, 2023 |title=One-fifth of troop fatalities in Gaza due to friendly fire or accidents, IDF reports |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkjqoobip |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214212217/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkjqoobip |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=Ynetnews |quote=Casualties fell as a result of friendly fire on October 7, but the IDF believes that beyond the operational investigations of the events, it would not be morally sound to investigate these incidents due to the immense and complex quantity of them that took place in the kibbutzim and southern Israeli communities due to the challenging situations the soldiers were in at the time.}}

File:Disaster_Victim_Identification_after_2023_Hamas_attack_on_Israel_(ZAKA1049)..jpg, head of the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, hundreds of bodies arrived at the institute in a state "beyond recognition"]]

According to Chen Kugel, head of the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, hundreds of bodies arrived at the institute in a state "beyond recognition".{{Cite news |last=ראובני |first=נוב |date=October 24, 2023 |title=חשבו שהם ראו כבר הכל: אנשי המכון לרפואה משפטית מדברים על הזוועות |work=כאן 11 |url=https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan/kan-actual/p-11894/news-item/581538/ |access-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026235158/https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan/kan-actual/p-11894/news-item/581538/ |url-status=live }} Pathologists were required to process, among others, bone fragments recovered from fires; a blood-soaked baby mattress; victims who were tied, then executed; and two victims who were tied, then incinerated alive.

With hundreds missing and bodies burned beyond recognition, Israeli authorities assembled recovery teams from across society. This included archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority, who identified and removed ancient remains in attempts to sift through ash and rubble for bone fragments other forensic teams overlooked.{{cite news

|url=https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/11/05/the-biblical-archaeologist-finding-the-victims-hamas-burned

|title=The biblical archaeologist finding the victims Hamas burned

|newspaper=The Economist

|first=Wendell

|last=Steavenson

|date=November 5, 2023

|access-date=November 6, 2023

|archive-date=November 7, 2023

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107105307/https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/11/05/the-biblical-archaeologist-finding-the-victims-hamas-burned

|url-status=live

}}

The sheer number of casualties overwhelmed authorities. Bodies were brought chaotically to the Shura IDF base and Abu Kabir forensic institute. The different military, police, and civilian teams caused confusion. Archeologists systematically searched rooms, dividing them into grids and carefully extracting bone shards. At one house, the archeology team found a bloodstain under ash that it determined was the outline of a body, later identified by DNA analysis as Meni Godard.

On November 10, Israel revised its casualty count from 1,400 to 1,200 after realizing that some bodies that were badly burned{{cite news |title='That was a mistake': Mehdi challenges Israeli adviser Mark Regev on false Israeli claims |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-yRuTasHU |access-date=February 13, 2024 |work=MSNBC |date=October 16, 2023 |quote=6'45":...1400...revised that down to 1200...there were bodies that were so badly burnt, we thought they were ours, in the end, apparently they were Hamas terrorists |archive-date=February 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213212657/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-yRuTasHU |url-status=live }} were those of Hamas fighters.{{Cite news |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Israel revises down toll from October 7 attack to 'around 1,200' |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/10/israel-revises-death-toll-from-october-7-hamas-attack-to-1200-people |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111000449/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/10/israel-revises-death-toll-from-october-7-hamas-attack-to-1200-people |archive-date=November 11, 2023}} This included 859 civilians,{{Cite news |date=November 14, 2023 |title=Police say they've identified 859 civilian victims from 7 October massacre, up 16 |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/police-say-theyve-identified-859-civilian-victims-from-october-7-massacre-up-16/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120074925/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/police-say-theyve-identified-859-civilian-victims-from-october-7-massacre-up-16/ |url-status=live }} 283 soldiers,{{Cite news |date=November 12, 2023 |title=What We Know About the Death Toll in Israel From the Hamas-Led Attacks |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/middleeast/israel-death-toll-hamas-attack.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114005923/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/middleeast/israel-death-toll-hamas-attack.html |archive-date=November 14, 2023|quote=At least 278 soldiers were killed in the battles inside Israel, according to the Israeli military's website.}}[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/three-soldiers-abducted-by-hamas-declared-dead-by-army/ Three soldiers abducted by Hamas declared dead by army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215133629/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/three-soldiers-abducted-by-hamas-declared-dead-by-army/ |date=December 15, 2023 }}
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-senior-officer-was-killed-october-7-body-being-held-by-hamas/ IDF reveals a Gaza brigade chief was killed Oct 7, body held by Hamas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209143558/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-says-senior-officer-was-killed-october-7-body-being-held-by-hamas/ |date=December 9, 2023 }}
[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-declares-deaths-of-5-more-troops-including-nephew-of-ex-idf-chief-eisenkot-who-also-lost-son/ IDF declares deaths of 5 more troops, including nephew of ex-IDF chief Eisenkot who also lost son] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215133632/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-declares-deaths-of-5-more-troops-including-nephew-of-ex-idf-chief-eisenkot-who-also-lost-son/ |date=December 15, 2023 }} 58 policemen, and 10 Shin Bet members.{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/authorities-name-44-soldiers-30-police-officers-killed-in-hamas-attack/ |title=Authorities name 682 soldiers, 63 police officers killed in Gaza war |first=Emanuel |last=Fabian |work=The Times of Israel |access-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017234834/https://www.timesofisrael.com/authorities-name-44-soldiers-30-police-officers-killed-in-hamas-attack/ |url-status=live}}

At the end of May 2024, using social security data, this was further revised to 1,175: 725 Israeli civilians (including 36 children), 71 foreign nationals, and 379 security forces.{{cite web |title=Israel social security data reveals true picture of Oct 7 deaths |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231215-israel-social-security-data-reveals-true-picture-of-oct-7-deaths |website=France 24 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217222630/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231215-israel-social-security-data-reveals-true-picture-of-oct-7-deaths |archive-date=December 17, 2023 |date=December 15, 2023 }}
[https://www.barrons.com/news/new-tally-puts-october-7-attack-dead-in-israel-at-1-163-78182279 New Tally Puts October 7 Attack Dead In Israel At 1,163] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303000937/https://www.barrons.com/news/new-tally-puts-october-7-attack-dead-in-israel-at-1-163-78182279 |date=March 3, 2024 }}
[https://www.barrons.com/news/new-tally-puts-oct-7-attack-death-toll-in-israel-at-1-189-3e038de6 New Tally Puts Oct 7 Attack Death Toll In Israel At 1,189] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805180954/https://www.barrons.com/news/new-tally-puts-oct-7-attack-death-toll-in-israel-at-1-189-3e038de6 |date=August 5, 2024 }} One person, peace activist Bilha Inon, was classed as missing{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pleads-ignorance-in-meeting-with-families-of-slain-surveillance-soldiers/|title=Netanyahu pleads ignorance in meeting with families of slain surveillance soldiers | The Times of Israel|website=The Times of Israel |access-date=July 17, 2024|archive-date=July 17, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240717101017/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-pleads-ignorance-in-meeting-with-families-of-slain-surveillance-soldiers/|url-status=live}} until August 6, 2024, when the IDF confirmed that she died at Netiv Ha'asara, with her husband.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-unaccounted-for-october-7-victim-died-in-onslaught-idf-confirms/|title=Final unaccounted for October 7 victim died in onslaught, IDF confirms | The Times of Israel|website=The Times of Israel |access-date=August 8, 2024|archive-date=August 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808100734/https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-unaccounted-for-october-7-victim-died-in-onslaught-idf-confirms/|url-status=live}}

{{See also |Bearing Witness (2023 film) |War crimes in the Gaza war}}

{{Main|Sexual and gender-based violence in the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel}}

Israeli women and girls were reportedly raped, assaulted, and mutilated by Hamas militants during the incursion, an allegation Hamas denies.{{cite news |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Biden calls reports of Hamas raping Israeli hostages 'appalling,' says world can't look away |publisher=Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-hamas-rape-israel-sexual-violence-155Jq5pu3245d4418M19YnRvau7Rc14hVB}}

• {{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Shira |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Israel investigates an elusive, horrific enemy: Rape as a weapon of war|newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/25/israel-hamas-rape-sexual-violence/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128081253/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/25/israel-hamas-rape-sexual-violence/ |archive-date=November 28, 2023}}
• {{cite news |title=Sexual Violence Evidence Against Hamas Is Mounting, but the Road to Court Is Still Long |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-22/ty-article-magazine/.premium/sexual-assault-evidence-against-hamas-is-mounting-but-the-road-to-court-is-still-long/0000018b-f6bb-dafe-a18f-f7fb0a570000 |url-status=live |access-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123215829/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-22/ty-article-magazine/.premium/sexual-assault-evidence-against-hamas-is-mounting-but-the-road-to-court-is-still-long/0000018b-f6bb-dafe-a18f-f7fb0a570000 |archive-date=November 23, 2023}}
• {{Cite news |title=The Scope of Hamas' Campaign of Rape Against Israeli Women Is Revealed, Testimony After Testimony |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-30/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/hamas-campaign-of-rape-against-israeli-women-is-revealed-testimony-after-testimony/0000018c-2144-da36-a1de-6767dac90000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240107114704/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-30/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/hamas-campaign-of-rape-against-israeli-women-is-revealed-testimony-after-testimony/0000018c-2144-da36-a1de-6767dac90000 |archive-date=January 7, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2024 |work=Haaretz}} In the months following the attacks, The Wall Street Journal reported on December 21, there was "mounting evidence of sexual violence, based on survivor accounts, first responders and witnesses."{{cite news |last1=Stancati |first1=Margherita |last2=Ayyoub |first2=Abeer |date=December 21, 2023 |title=Gazans Are Starting to Blame Hamas for Wartime Suffering |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/gazans-are-starting-to-blame-hamas-for-wartime-suffering-066256b0 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231221041400/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/gazans-are-starting-to-blame-hamas-for-wartime-suffering-066256b0 |archive-date=December 21, 2023 |access-date=December 21, 2023 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} Critics of Hamas denounced what they said was gender-based violence, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.{{cite news |last=Lawless |first=Jill |agency=Associated Press |date=November 5, 2023 |title=How international law applies to war, and why Hamas and Israel are both alleged to have broken it |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-11-05/how-international-law-applies-to-war-and-why-hamas-and-israel-are-both-alleged-to-have-broken-it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128175241/https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-11-05/how-international-law-applies-to-war-and-why-hamas-and-israel-are-both-alleged-to-have-broken-it |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news |date=December 5, 2023 |title=Israel Gaza: Hamas raped and mutilated women on 7 October, BBC hears |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67629181 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=December 7, 2023}}

The BBC reported that "Videos of naked and bloodied women filmed by Hamas on the day of the attack, and photographs of bodies taken at the sites afterwards, suggest that women were sexually targeted by their attackers." Testimonies from those at the Shura Base where the victims bodies were brought, such as IDF Captain (Res.) Maayan, who is also a dentist, and Shari Mendes, a volunteer, claimed that there were signs of sexual abuse, including mutilations, broken limbs, and broken pelvises.{{cite news |last=Hinsliff |first=Gaby |author-link=Gaby Hinsliff |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Whatever your view of the Israel-Hamas war, rape is rape. To trivialise it is to diminish ourselves |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/01/israel-hamas-war-rape-israelis-palestinians |access-date=December 14, 2023 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite news |first=Carrie |last=Keller-Lynn |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Amid war and urgent need to ID bodies, evidence of Hamas's October 7 rapes slips away |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-war-and-urgent-need-to-id-bodies-evidence-of-hamass-october-7-rapes-slips-away/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111231211/https://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-war-and-urgent-need-to-id-bodies-evidence-of-hamass-october-7-rapes-slips-away/ |archive-date=November 11, 2023}}{{cite news |date=December 5, 2023 |title=Hamas accused of using rape as weapon of war in Israel in October 7 attack |publisher=ABC |url=https://abc7chicago.com/hamas-rape-accounts-sexual-assaults-israel-october-7-videos/14142200/}} Some of the released hostages also shared testimonies of sexual violence during their time in Gaza.

Some witness testimony was subsequently discredited, including the claim shared by among others Shari Mendes of the alleged stabbing of a pregnant woman and her fetus and several alleged rapes.{{cite web |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Boguslaw |first2=Daniel |last3=Scahill |first3=Jeremy |date=February 29, 2024 |title=Between the Hammer and the Anvil: The Story Behind the New York Times October 7 Exposé |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/28/new-york-times-anat-schwartz-october-7/ |access-date=April 1, 2024 |website=The Intercept |publisher=}}{{bulleted list|

| {{cite news |last1=Rabinowitz |first1=Aaron |date=January 31, 2024 |title=Death and Donations: Did the Israeli Volunteer Group Handling the Dead of October 7 Exploit Its Role? |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-31/ty-article-magazine/.premium/death-and-donations-did-the-volunteer-group-handling-the-october-7-dead-exploit-its-role/0000018d-5a73-d997-adff-df7bdb670000 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |newspaper=Haaretz}}

| {{cite web |last1=Gupta |first1=Arun |date=February 27, 2024 |title=American Media Keep Citing Zaka — Though Its October 7 Atrocity Stories are Discredited in Israel |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/27/zaka-october-7-israel-hamas-new-york-times/ |access-date=April 1, 2024 |website=theintercept.com |publisher=The Intercept}}

| {{Cite web |date=May 22, 2024 |title=How 2 debunked accounts of sexual violence on Oct. 7 fueled a global dispute over Israel-Hamas war |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-sexual-violence-zaka-ca7905bf9520b1e646f86d72cdf03244 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=AP News |language=en}}

}}{{Cite web |last1=Scahill |first1=Jeremy |last2=Grim |first2=Ryan |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Kibbutz Be'eri Rejects Story in New York Times October 7 Exposé: "They Were Not Sexually Abused" |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/03/04/nyt-october-7-sexual-violence-kibbutz-beeri/ |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}} Haaretz reported in April 2024 that "according to a source knowledgeable about the details, there were no signs on any of those bodies [at Shura Base, to which most of the bodies were taken for purposes of identification] attesting to sexual relations having taken place or of mutilation of genitalia." It also alleged that due to the lack of forensic pathologists at most a quarter of the bodies could be fully examined, and for at least one hundred bodies conclusions could not be drawn given their deteriorated state.{{Cite news |last=Rozovsky |first=Liza |date=April 18, 2024 |title=15 Witnesses, Three Confessions, a Pattern of Naked Dead Bodies. All the Evidence of Hamas Rape on October 7 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-18/ty-article-magazine/witnesses-confessions-naked-dead-bodies-all-the-evidence-of-hamas-rape-on-oct-7/0000018e-f114-d92e-abfe-f77f7e3f0000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240418162906/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-18/ty-article-magazine/.premium/witnesses-confessions-naked-dead-bodies-all-the-evidence-of-hamas-rape-on-oct-7/0000018e-f114-d92e-abfe-f77f7e3f0000 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |work=Haaretz}} Israeli forensic pathologists in charge of the process later clarified that all bodies had been examined, and some were disfigured or burned.{{Cite journal |last1=Mor |first1=Zohar |last2=Kugel |first2=Chen |last3=Mizrahi |first3=Hagar |last4=Kaliner |first4=Ehud |date=November 2024 |title=Mass killing during terror attack at the Israel-Gaza border and the role of the Ministry of Health in identification of human remains and their release |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39128201/ |journal=Forensic Science International |volume=363 |pages=1 |doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112188 |issn=1872-6283 |pmid=39128201 |quote=Bodies were delivered to a central mortuary. Each body was coded and undressed for external inspection and documentation of physical elements... Whole-body CT was performed in cases the bodies were disfigured or burned from the second week}}

A two-month New York Times investigation by Jeffrey Gettleman, Anat Schwartz, and Adam Sella, Screams Without Words, released in late December 2023, reported finding at least seven locations where sexual assaults and mutilations of Israeli women and girls were carried out. It concluded that these were not isolated events but part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence during the October 7 massacres. The probe was said to have been based on video footage, photographs, GPS data from mobile phones, and interviews with more than 150 people.{{Cite news |last1=Gettleman |first1=Jeffrey |author1-link=Jeffrey Gettleman |last2=Schwartz |first2=Anat |author2-link=Anat Schwartz |last3=Sella |first3=Adam |last4=Shaar-Yashuv |first4=Avishag |date=December 28, 2023 |title='Screams Without Words': How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-hamas-israel-sexual-violence.html |access-date=March 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |quote=A two-month investigation by The Times uncovered painful new details, establishing that the attacks against women were not isolated events but part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence on Oct. 7. |issn=0362-4331 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306020559/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/28/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-hamas-israel-sexual-violence.html |archive-date=March 6, 2024}} According to reporting by The Intercept, the New York Times investigation has been criticized, both externally and internally by other employees, for apparent discrepancies in witness accounts and lax evidentiary standards.{{cite web |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |last2=Boguslaw |first2=Daniel |title=New York Times Puts "Daily" Episode On Ice Amid Internal Firestorm Over Hamas Sexual Violence Article |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/01/28/new-york-times-daily-podcast-camera/ |website=theintercept.com |date=January 29, 2024 |publisher=The Intercept |access-date=February 14, 2024}} On December 30, The Daily Telegraph wrote: "First responders to massacre saw raped and abused bodies, but the rapidity of events—and cultural taboos—may leave the truth uncovered".{{Cite news |last1=Vasilyeva |first1=Nataliya |last2=Kierszenbaum |first2=Quique |date=December 30, 2023 |title=Why the full extent of Hamas's sex crimes may never be known |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/12/30/truth-about-hamas-sex-crimes-may-never-be-known/ |access-date=January 8, 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}} Al-Jazeera concluded that the "allegations of widespread and systematic rape", allegations it said "were used repeatedly by politicians in Israel and the West to justify the ferocity of the subsequent bombardment of the Gaza Strip", were false. On March 25, 2024, The New York Times reported that new video had surfaced, contradicting the account of an Israeli military paramedic previously interviewed by the Times that two teenagers murdered in Be'eri had also been sexually assaulted.{{Cite news |last1=Rasgon |first1=Adam |last2=Odenheimer |first2=Natan |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Israeli Soldier's Video Undercuts Medic's Account of Sexual Assault |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/world/middleeast/video-sexual-assault-israel-kibbutz-hamas.html |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209000606/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/world/middleeast/video-sexual-assault-israel-kibbutz-hamas.html |archive-date=February 9, 2025}}

Pramila Patten, the UN's special envoy on sexual violence in conflict, reported in March 2024 that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe sexual assaults including rape and gang rape took place in multiple locations during the October 7 attacks. Patten also reported receiving "clear and convincing information" that some of the hostages held by Hamas had suffered rape and sexualized torture and that there were "reasonable grounds" to believe such abuses were "ongoing".{{Cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |date=March 4, 2024 |title=UN finds 'convincing information' that Hamas raped and tortured Israeli hostages |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/04/un-envoy-reports-on-accounts-of-hamas-raping-and-torturing-israeli-hostages |access-date=March 30, 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203065504/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/04/un-envoy-reports-on-accounts-of-hamas-raping-and-torturing-israeli-hostages |archive-date=February 3, 2025}} The report{{cite web |last=United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Mission report – Official visit of the Office of the SRSG-SVC to Israel and the occupied West Bank 29 January – 14 February 2024 |url=https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/report/mission-report-official-visit-of-the-office-of-the-srsg-svc-to-israel-and-the-occupied-west-bank-29-january-14-february-2024/20240304-Israel-oWB-CRSV-report.pdf |access-date=March 5, 2024 |publisher=United Nations |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304224551/https://www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/report/mission-report-official-visit-of-the-office-of-the-srsg-svc-to-israel-and-the-occupied-west-bank-29-january-14-february-2024/20240304-Israel-oWB-CRSV-report.pdf |url-status=live}} stemmed from an unprecedented fact-finding mission to "verify information" and was not a full and legal investigation as Patten's office lacks such a mandate. It was thus unable to establish anything beyond a reasonable doubt.{{Cite news |last1=Philp |first1=Catherine |last2=Weiniger |first2=Gabrielle |date=June 7, 2024 |title=Israel says Hamas weaponised rape. Does the evidence add up? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-times-magazine/article/israel-hamas-rape-investigation-evidence-october-7-6kzphszsj |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008030639/https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-times-magazine/article/israel-hamas-rape-investigation-evidence-october-7-6kzphszsj |archive-date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=The Times}} As American journalist Azadeh Moaveni reported: "Her office didn't have a mandate to investigate sexual crimes on the ground and had never undertaken such a mission before. I was told by multiple sources at the UN that her trip was a matter of fierce controversy within the organisation." Patten's report also did not determine that the sexual violence was systematic in nature, did not attribute it to Hamas or other factions, did not find evidence of it being planned, and remained agnostic on its scope. Patten was also unable to find some evidence that Israeli politicians insisted existed, including video and photographic evidence of rape.{{Cite news |date=April 23, 2024 |title=Israel fumes as UN secretary-general leaves Hamas off sexual violence blacklist |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-fumes-as-un-secretay-general-leaves-hamas-off-sexual-violence-blacklist/ |work=The Times of Israel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250131032427/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-fumes-as-un-secretay-general-leaves-hamas-off-sexual-violence-blacklist/ |archive-date=January 31, 2025}} The report concludes that "specific attribution of the violations would require a fully-fledged investigation". Later, Patten, the UN's special representative, requested permission to investigate Hamas' alleged crimes, on condition that her team should also be allowed to access Israeli detention facilities to examine claims of sexual violence by Israeli soldiers, but the request was denied.{{Cite news |last=Rozovsky |first=Liza |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Israel Blocks UN Probe Into Hamas Sexual Crimes From October 7 to Avoid Inquiry Into Abuse of Palestinians |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-08/ty-article/.premium/israel-blocks-un-hamas-sexual-crimes-probe-to-avoid-inquiry-into-abuse-of-palestinians/00000194-44e0-d087-a9bd-7de1d5f20000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250126114219/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-08/ty-article/.premium/israel-blocks-un-hamas-sexual-crimes-probe-to-avoid-inquiry-into-abuse-of-palestinians/00000194-44e0-d087-a9bd-7de1d5f20000 |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |work=Haaretz}}

The UN's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released an in-depth investigative report on June 12, 2024, which found that both Hamas and Israel had committed sexual violence and torture, along with intentional attacks on civilians.{{cite web |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Israeli authorities, Palestinian armed groups are responsible for war crimes, other grave violations of international law, UN Inquiry finds |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/06/israeli-authorities-palestinian-armed-groups-are-responsible-war-crimes |website=United Nations Human Rights}} The report was created by information compiled from interviews of victims, witnesses, open sourced items, forensic medical reports, and satellite imagery. Israel had previously announced its refusal to cooperate with the inquiry and rejected the allegations.{{cite news |last1=Pokharel |first1=Sugam |last2=Nicholls |first2=Catherine |last3=Yeung |first3=Jessie |last4=Karadsheh |first4=Jomana |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Inquiry says Israel and Hamas have both committed war crimes since October 7 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/12/middleeast/un-report-israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-intl-hnk/index.html |newspaper=CNN}} The commission found that Palestinian forces were responsible for incidents "indicative of sexual violence" at the Re'im festival and the Nahal Oz military outpost, as well as several kibbutzim.{{cite news |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Report by UN-backed experts cites crimes by Israeli forces, Palestinian militants starting Oct. 7 |url=https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-human-rights-navi-pillay-israel-palestinians-a80c38e1aa2c2090da098f7df20e97fe |newspaper=Associated Press}} The report concluded there was a "pattern indicative of sexual violence" by Palestinian forces during the attack, and that Hamas and other militant groups were responsible for gender-based violence "by willful killings, abductions, and physical, mental and sexual abuse". The commission was unable to independently verify testimony of genital mutilation, sexual torture and rape, citing a lack of access to witnesses and crime scenes, and Israel's obstruction of its investigations. It also found no evidence that Palestinian forces had been ordered to commit sexual violence. In addition, the Commission found some specific allegations to be false or contradictory.

In June 2024 The Times published a detailed investigative report concluding that Israel's claims about the scale and the formally sanctioned, systematic nature of sexual assaults did not stand up to scrutiny.

As of January 2025, the former head of the security cases division in Israel's Southern District prosecutor's office said that no case was being filed due to a lack of evidence and complainants.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2025 |title=No rape allegations filed from 7 October, reveals Israeli prosecutor |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250106-no-rape-allegations-filed-from-7-october-reaveals-israeli-prosecutor/ |access-date=February 18, 2025 |website=Middle East Monitor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107134216/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250106-no-rape-allegations-filed-from-7-october-reaveals-israeli-prosecutor/ |archive-date=January 7, 2025}}

{{anchor|Torture}}File:Gaza envelope after coordinated surprise offensive on Israel, October 2023 (KBG GPO04).jpg]]

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described photos that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government privately showed him: "a baby, an infant, riddled with bullets. Soldiers beheaded. Young people burned alive. I could go on, but it's simply depravity in the worst imaginable way."{{cite news |title=Blinken describes images of Hamas attack victims, pledges US support on trip to Israel |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/blinken-meets-hamas-attack-survivors-pledges-us-support/story?id=103925374 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114182231/https://abcnews.go.com/International/blinken-meets-hamas-attack-survivors-pledges-us-support/story?id=103925374 |archive-date=November 14, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |work=ABC News}} Israeli forces in Kfar Aza and Be'eri{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/10/31/the-lead-jake-tapper-hamas-atrocities-live.cnn |title=Medics describe atrocities committed by Hamas on Oct 7 |newspaper=CNN |date=November 1, 2023 |first=Jake |last=Tapper |author-link=Jake Tapper |access-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101153242/https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/10/31/the-lead-jake-tapper-hamas-atrocities-live.cnn |url-status=live}} reported that they found bodies of victims mutilated. One IDF commander falsely told an I24NEWS reporter that 40 babies had been killed,{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Lazar |title='At least 40 babies killed': Foreign reporters taken to massacre site in Kfar Aza |access-date=October 10, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-takes-foreign-journalists-to-see-massacre-site-in-kfar-aza/ |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012193700/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-takes-foreign-journalists-to-see-massacre-site-in-kfar-aza/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |first1=Joshua |last1=Zitser |first2=Rebecca |last2=Cohen |title=IDF says Hamas fighters killed and decapitated babies at one kibbutz near the Gaza border |work=Business Insider |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/idf-says-hamas-decapitated-babies-in-israel-2023-10 |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011000739/https://www.businessinsider.com/idf-says-hamas-decapitated-babies-in-israel-2023-10 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Unverified reports of '40 babies beheaded' in Israel-Hamas war inflame social media |first1=Kat |last1=Tenbarge |first2=Melissa |last2=Chan |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/unverified-allegations-beheaded-babies-israel-hamas-war-inflame-social-rcna119902 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012182948/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/unverified-allegations-beheaded-babies-israel-hamas-war-inflame-social-rcna119902 |url-status=live}} out of what one estimate described as at least 100 civilian victims;{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2023 |title=Inside the Israeli border village where Hamas 'atrocities' have shocked IDF soldiers |first=Bel |last=Trew|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/kfar-aza-israel-village-hamas-attack-b2427446.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |work=The Independent |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010184508/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/kfar-aza-israel-village-hamas-attack-b2427446.html |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title='It smells of death here': Surveying the scenes of atrocities in Kfar Aza |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1696938010-it-smells-of-death-here-surveying-the-scenes-of-atrocities-in-kfar-aza |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=I24news |date=October 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010181638/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1696938010-it-smells-of-death-here-surveying-the-scenes-of-atrocities-in-kfar-aza |url-status=live}} Instead, two babies are known to have died as a result of the attack, one from a bullet, and one in a hospital shortly after birth.{{Cite news |last=Kessler |first=Glenn |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Analysis {{!}} Biden yet again says Hamas beheaded babies. Has new evidence emerged? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/11/22/biden-yet-again-says-hamas-beheaded-babies-has-new-evidence-emerged/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

File:Gaza envelope after coordinated surprise offensive on Israel, October 2023 (KBG GPO12).jpg]] ZAKA volunteers acting as first responders spread other false reports of this type.{{Cite news |last=Rabinowitz |first=Aaron |date=January 31, 2024 |title=Death and Donations: Did the Israeli Volunteer Group Handling the Dead of October 7 Exploit Its Role? |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-31/ty-article-magazine/.premium/death-and-donations-did-the-volunteer-group-handling-the-october-7-dead-exploit-its-role/0000018d-5a73-d997-adff-df7bdb670000 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=Haaretz |archive-date=February 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240209154317/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-01-31/ty-article-magazine/.premium/death-and-donations-did-the-volunteer-group-handling-the-october-7-dead-exploit-its-role/0000018d-5a73-d997-adff-df7bdb670000 |url-status=live |quote=Tales of imagination
This horrific incident, which the Zaka volunteer alleged occurred in Be'eri, simply didn't happen}} In one, a ZAKA volunteer said groups of children were found tied up and burned alive. Other reported atrocities included sexual assaults, rapes, and mutilations; some victims were reportedly bound, and some victims' bodies desecrated. Graeme Wood reported that the video footage retrieved from body cameras the attackers wore showed several victims who "in the beginning of the footage... are alive, [and] by the end they're dead. Sometimes, in fact frequently, after their death their bodies are still being desecrated."{{Cite news |date=October 25, 2023 |title=Journalist describes footage of Hamas atrocities compiled by the IDF |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW0Atcdy38g |publisher=CBC News |via=YouTube |access-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026041233/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW0Atcdy38g&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live}} Other videos show attackers shooting at children, executing men in civilian clothing, throwing grenades into civilian shelters, and an attempted decapitation.{{Cite news |last=Carroll |first=Rory |date=October 23, 2023 |title=Israel shows footage of Hamas killings 'to counter denial of atrocities' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/23/israel-shows-footage-of-hamas-killings-to-counter-denial-of-atrocities |access-date=October 28, 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028212742/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/23/israel-shows-footage-of-hamas-killings-to-counter-denial-of-atrocities |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last1=Estrin |first1=Daniel |last2=Bashir |first2=Abu Bakr |last3=Balaban |first3=Samantha |last4=Harbage |first4=Claire |date=October 27, 2023 |title=New details emerge about the Hamas-led attackers who massacred Israelis |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/27/1208836319/israel-hamas-islamic-jihad-militants-videos-details |access-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028190716/https://www.npr.org/2023/10/27/1208836319/israel-hamas-islamic-jihad-militants-videos-details |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Israel/Palestine: Videos of Hamas-Led Attacks Verified |website=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/18/israel/palestine-videos-hamas-led-attacks-verified |access-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028190716/https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/18/israel/palestine-videos-hamas-led-attacks-verified |url-status=live}}

First response personnel recovering the bodies reported being extremely distressed by the atrocities they witnessed, and said they placed the bodies of Hamas militants in body bags marked with an "X" and removed them with a bulldozer.{{Cite news |last=Ramsay |first=Stuart |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Israel-Hamas war: Recovered bodies show 'bloodthirsty' gunmen 'took time over torture' – and that Hamas has changed |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israel-gaza-war-recovered-bodies-show-bloodthirsty-gunmen-took-time-over-torture-and-that-hamas-has-changed-12985212 |access-date=October 19, 2023 |work=Sky News |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015215425/https://news.sky.com/story/israel-gaza-war-recovered-bodies-show-bloodthirsty-gunmen-took-time-over-torture-and-that-hamas-has-changed-12985212 |url-status=live}}

Israeli security agencies released videos that the Times of Israel described as alleged confessions of Hamas attackers, in which the subjects said they were ordered to kill, behead, cut off limbs and rape.{{Cite news |author=ToI Staff |title=Kill, behead, rape: Interrogated Hamas members detail atrocities against civilians |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/kill-behead-rape-interrogated-hamas-members-detail-atrocities-against-civilians/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel |archive-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029160226/https://www.timesofisrael.com/kill-behead-rape-interrogated-hamas-members-detail-atrocities-against-civilians/ |url-status=live}} Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Physicians for Human Rights Israel stated that these alleged confessions were likely extracted under torture, should not be accepted as credible evidence, and called on the Israeli government to cease their production and publication.{{Cite news |title=Israel likely tortured Palestinian to record rape confession, say rights groups |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-israel-war-likely-tortured-palestinian-rape-confession-rights-groups |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=Middle East Eye |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Gender-Based Violence as a Weapon of War during the October 7 Hamas Attacks {{!}} Position Paper |url=https://www.phr.org.il/en/gender-based-violence-eng/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |website=Physicians for Human Rights Israel |language=en-US}}

A former chief rabbi of the Israeli army, part of the team identifying bodies, said there were many instances of rape and torture, and an Israeli reserve warrant officer said that forensic exams had discovered multiple cases of rape, though neither provided forensic evidence to support the claims.{{Cite news |date=October 15, 2023 |title=Israeli forensic teams describe signs of torture, abuse |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-forensic-teams-describe-signs-torture-abuse-2023-10-15/ |access-date=October 29, 2023 |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028215804/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-forensic-teams-describe-signs-torture-abuse-2023-10-15/ |url-status=live}} Haaretz reported in April 2024 that no such forensic evidence exists. CNN has interviewed several Israelis who witnessed the aftermath of the attack, who reported visible signs of rape and excessive violence on the bodies of women and girls from several sites.{{Cite news |last=Tapper |first=Jake |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Video: Witness describes sexual assault of Israeli women by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/11/16/sexual-violence-israeli-women-hamas-attack-tapper-pkg-lead-vpx.cnn |access-date=November 17, 2023}} The Intercept called into question the credibility of some of these testimonies, also cited in other reports such as the New York Times' Screams Without Words.

A Haaretz investigation into the claims of mutilation and torture found that "Members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, as well as other Gazans who entered Israel, committed war crimes and crimes against humanity." Regarding "testimonies about Hamas' atrocities on October 7", Haaretz found that "Most are supported by extensive evidence, but a few have been proved untrue, providing ammunition to deniers of the historic massacre." Haaretz found several cases where Israeli search and rescue units, the army, and politicians disseminated inaccurate information. An Israeli army officer claimed that babies had been hung on clotheslines; later investigations showed that exactly one infant was killed, alongside her father, and that the reports of groups of children being slaughtered and mutilated were false. A total of five children under age six were killed, and another 14 between ages 12 and 15 were killed in rocket attacks from Gaza. Most of the children were killed alongside family members.

Haaretz reported that "Hamas terrorists did desecrate corpses during the massacre, especially the bodies of soldiers. There were also beheadings and cases of dismemberment" but that "there is no evidence that children from several families were murdered together, rendering inaccurate Netanyahu's remark to U.S. President Joe Biden that Hamas terrorists 'took dozens of children, tied them up, burned them and executed them.'"{{cite news |last=Hasson |first=Nir |title=Hamas Committed Documented Atrocities. But a Few False Stories Feed the Deniers |work=Haaretz |date=December 4, 2023 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-04/ty-article-magazine/.premium/hamas-committed-documented-atrocities-but-a-few-false-stories-feed-the-deniers/0000018c-34f3-da74-afce-b5fbe24f0000 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231220010209/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-04/ty-article-magazine/.premium/hamas-committed-documented-atrocities-but-a-few-false-stories-feed-the-deniers/0000018c-34f3-da74-afce-b5fbe24f0000 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 5, 2023}} ZAKA volunteers shared stories of atrocities, with one repeatedly describing 20 children having been bound and burned at a kibbutz; the same volunteer said a pregnant woman had her unborn baby cut from her womb and that he had found the woman next to a murdered child aged six or seven. But the list of dead does not correspond to the claims, and no children of that age were killed in the kibbutz; the kibbutz has denied that the story is related to the kibbutz. Sara Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister's wife, sent U.S. first lady Jill Biden a letter claiming that a heavily pregnant woman was taken hostage to Gaza; the woman was identified as a Thai worker who had been taken hostage and later released. She was not pregnant and had not given birth.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also repeated some of the evidence given by the same ZAKA volunteer, describing a scene the volunteer said he found in Be'eri: "a young boy and girl, 6 and 8 years old, and their parents around the breakfast table. The father's eye gouged out in front of his kids. The mother's breast cut off, the girl's foot amputated, the boy's fingers cut off before they were executed."{{cite web |last1=Shoaib |first1=Alia |title=Hamas militants ate family's meal after they tortured and mutilated parents and 2 young children, Blinken says |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-hamas-gaza-militants-ate-lunch-tortured-mutilated-young-family-2023-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104020341/https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-hamas-gaza-militants-ate-lunch-tortured-mutilated-young-family-2023-10 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Scahill |first=Jeremy |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Israel's Ruthless Propaganda Campaign to Dehumanize Palestinians |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/07/gaza-israel-netanyahu-propaganda-lies-palestinians/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Intercept}} Haaretz reported in December 2023 that "no children 6 or 7 or near those ages were killed on Be'eri". The Intercept similarly said no one killed in Be'eri matched this account and expressed mystification that U.S. media kept citing ZAKA, even though their testimony was debunked in Israeli media.{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Arun |date=February 27, 2024 |title=American Media Keep Citing Zaka — Though Its October 7 Atrocity Stories Are Discredited in Israel |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/02/27/zaka-october-7-israel-hamas-new-york-times/ |access-date=March 30, 2024 |website=The Intercept}}

On October 20, a forensic analysis was presented to the media at Israel's National Center of Forensic Medicine that claimed to show evidence of victims burned alive with bound hands. The analysis suggested that one CT scan of charred remains showed an adult bound to a child at the time of death.{{Cite news |title=Forensic teams still working to identify bodies 10 days after Hamas massacres {{!}} Israel-Gaza war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/17/hundreds-of-israeli-bodies-remain-unidentified-10-days-after-hamas-attack |access-date=December 18, 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=October 17, 2023}}{{Cite news |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Inside the Israeli lab 'reassembling and reconnecting' the mangled bodies of the dead |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-11-16/la-fg-col1-israel-forensic-pathologist |access-date=December 18, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times}} Many victims were described as having soot in their trachea, indicating that they burned to death.{{cite news |last1=Poris |first1=Aaron |date=October 19, 2023 |title=Evidence on Display at Israel's Forensic Pathology Center Confirms Hamas' Atrocities |work=The Media Line |url=https://themedialine.org/top-stories/evidence-on-display-at-israels-forensic-pathology-center-confirms-hamas-atrocities/ |access-date=October 22, 2023}}

Two or three decapitations of adults or military-age teenagers have been confirmed, one or two IDF soldiers (beheaded after death in combat) and a foreign worker.{{Cite web |last=Poris |first=Aaron |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Horrific Footage of Hamas Atrocities Revealed by IDF Shakes Global Media |url=https://themedialine.org/top-stories/horrific-footage-of-hamas-atrocities-revealed-by-idf-shakes-global-media/ |access-date=October 27, 2024 |website=The Media Line}} Adir Tahar, age 19, from the Golani Brigade, was killed in combat by multiple grenades on October 7. After his death, his head was removed and taken to the Gaza Strip where it was found later in the freezer of an ice cream store, inspiring speculation about why it had been taken there. His body was identified by DNA and buried incomplete. The IDF tried to hide from his family that there was only an incomplete body to bury.{{cite news |last=ToI Staff |date=January 18, 2024 |title=Father of fallen soldier: Terrorist decapitated my son, tried to sell head for $10,000 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/father-of-fallen-soldier-terrorist-decapitated-my-son-tried-to-sell-head-for-10000/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}}{{cite news |last=Barnea |first=Yuval |date=January 18, 2024 |title=Gazans Tried to Sell Fallen IDF Soldier's Head for $10,000, Says Soldier's Father |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-782655 |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} A second burial ceremony was held after his head was recovered.{{Cite news |last=ToI Staff |date=February 18, 2024 |title=Sgt. Adir Tahar, 19: Quiet Boy Who Fulfilled Dream of Joining Golani |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/sgt-adir-tahar-19-quiet-boy-who-fulfilled-dreamed-of-joining-golani/ |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}}

{{see also|Hamas baby beheading hoax}}

Several Israeli sources said in the aftermath of the attack that there were bodies of multiple beheaded infants in Kfar Aza. Later the Israeli government said it could not confirm the veracity of the claim and several investigations found it to be untrue.

In its investigation Le Monde concluded that the unverified claim is false, although it became a significant element in the information war, with Israeli authorities intentionally maintaining ambiguous messaging that helped spread the narrative despite lack of confirmation: "Israel has done nothing to fight it and has more often tried to instrumentalize it than deny it, fueling accusations of media manipulation." Some opponents of Israel in turn also instrumentalized the false claim; Pro-Palestinian influencer Sulaiman Ahmed used the claim to deny the reality of Hamas killings, while conspiracist Jackson Hinkle used it to argue that Israel "has lied about everything." The issue continues to be sensitive, with pro-Palestinian influencers and conspiracists seeing it as "fake news" spread by a "genocidal army of occupation", while on the Israeli side questioning it is likened to Holocaust denial. "Denied internationally, the rumor remains alive and well within Israel."{{Cite news |date=April 3, 2024 |title='40 beheaded babies': Deconstructing the rumor at the heart of the information battle between Israel and Hamas |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2024/04/03/40-beheaded-babies-the-itinerary-of-a-rumor-at-the-heart-of-the-information-battle-between-israel-and-hamas_6667274_8.html |access-date=November 28, 2024 |work=Le Monde |language=en}}

In the aftermath of the initial Hamas assault, witnesses from the Israeli soldiers, the Israeli Department Forces, and the first responder Israeli organization ZAKA said on French Israeli TV channel i24news that they had seen the bodies of beheaded infants at the site of the Kfar Aza massacre.{{cite news |first=Nicole |last=Zedeck |title='It smells of death here': Surveying the scenes of atrocities in Kfar Aza |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/1696938010-it-smells-of-death-here-surveying-the-scenes-of-atrocities-in-kfar-aza |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=I24news |date=October 10, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Tuquero |first=Loreben |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Reports of 260 Israeli music fest deaths aren't unsubstantiated |work=PolitiFact |url=https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/oct/13/instagram-posts/reports-of-260-deaths-at-israeli-music-fest-are-no/ |access-date=October 19, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Holly |author1-link=Holly Williams (journalist) |last2=Lyall |first2=Erin |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Israel kibbutz the scene of a Hamas "massacre", first responders say: "The depravity of it is haunting" |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-babies-killed-hamas-terror-attack-kibbutz-kfar-aza-first-responders-say/ |access-date=October 11, 2023}} During Antony Blinken's visit to Israel, he said he was shown photos of the massacre by Hamas of Israeli civilians and soldiers, and specifically that he saw beheaded IDF soldiers.{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Greg |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Israeli PM's office releases graphic photos purporting to show Hamas 'murdered and burned' babies |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/israeli-pms-office-releases-graphic-photos-purporting-show-hamas-murdered-burned-babies |access-date=October 19, 2023 |publisher=Fox News}} U.S. President Biden later falsely claimed that he had seen photographic evidence of militants beheading children; the White House subsequently clarified that Biden was alluding to news reports of beheadings, which have not contained or referred to photographic evidence. NBC News called reports of "40 beheaded babies" unverified allegations,{{Cite news |last1=Tenbarge |first1=Kat |last2=Chan |first2=Melissa |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Unverified reports of '40 babies beheaded' in Israel-Hamas war inflame social media |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/unverified-allegations-beheaded-babies-israel-hamas-war-inflame-social-rcna119902 |url-status=live |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012182948/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/unverified-allegations-beheaded-babies-israel-hamas-war-inflame-social-rcna119902 |archive-date=October 12, 2023}} adding that they appeared "to have originated from Israeli soldiers and people affiliated with the Israel Defense Force" and that "an Israeli official told CNN the government had not confirmed claims of the beheadings". The allegation mainly "stemmed from a viral Israeli news broadcast clip" and the main X / Twitter accounts propagating the claims were i24NEWS and Israel's official account, even though Israeli Defense spokesperson Doron Spielman told NBC News that he could not confirm i24NEWS's report. As of October 12, CNN had extensively reviewed online media content to verify Hamas-related atrocities but found no evidence to support claims of decapitated children.{{Cite news |last1=Chance |first1=Matthew |last2=Greene |first2=Richard Allen |last3=Berlinger |first3=Joshua |date=October 12, 2023 |title=Israeli official says government cannot confirm babies were beheaded in Hamas attack |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/12/middleeast/israel-hamas-beheading-claims-intl/index.html |access-date=October 12, 2023}}

An Israeli ZAKA volunteer reported on October 14 seeing children's bodies with severe injuries and burns; the volunteer said that some of the bodies appeared to have been decapitated, but the exact circumstances were not clear.{{cite news |first=Joel |last=Gunter |date=October 14, 2023 |title=Zaka: The volunteers giving dignity to Israel's dead |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67100014 |access-date=October 22, 2023}}

According to The Jerusalem Post, which reprinted an article from the Israeli website The Media Line (whose founder, Felice Friedson, was praised by The Jerusalem Post and is a contributor to it),{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/author/felice-friedson |title=Felice Friedson |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=December 16, 2023}} approximately 200 forensic pathologists and other experts—from Israel, Switzerland, New Zealand, the U.S. and elsewhere—reviewed evidence of the attack at the National Center of Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir) in Tel Aviv.{{cite news |first=Aaron |last=Poris |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-769339 |title=Hamas torture confirmed as Israeli forensics institute identifies victims |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=December 16, 2023 }} Chen Kugel, head of the center, said that many bodies, including those of babies, were without heads. When asked whether the bodies had been decapitated, Kugel answered yes. He added that it was difficult to determine whether the dead were decapitated before or after death, or whether their heads had been "cut off by knife or blown off by RPG".

On December 4, Haaretz reported that "unverified stories [had been] disseminated by Israeli search and rescue groups, army officers and even Sara Netanyahu".{{Cite news |date=December 4, 2023 |title=Hamas Committed Documented Atrocities. But a Few False Stories Feed the Deniers |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-12-04/ty-article-magazine/.premium/hamas-committed-documented-atrocities-but-a-few-false-stories-feed-the-deniers/0000018c-34f3-da74-afce-b5fbe24f0000 |access-date=December 4, 2023}}{{Cite news |title=Israeli personnel gave false information about 7 October attack crimes – report |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-palestine-war-personnel-false-information-7-october-attack |access-date=December 8, 2023 |work=Middle East Eye}} Haaretz journalists Nir Hasson and Liza Rozovsky related the chronology of the news items about "beheaded babies" and "hung babies" and concluded, "this story is false". They quoted Ishay Coen, a journalist for the ultra-Orthodox website Kikar Hashabbat, who admitted he made a mistake by unquestioningly accepting the IDF's claims. "Why would an army officer invent such a horrifying story?", Hashabbat asked, adding, "I was wrong." Haaretz also reported that some testimony came from reservist officers. Haaretz further reported that "according to sources including Israel's National Insurance Institute, kibbutz leaders and the police", one baby was killed on October 7, who was killed with her father in Kibbutz Be'eri. Al Jazeera English reported that the claims of babies being beheaded and killed en masse were false.{{cite web |last=Unit |first=Al Jazeera Investigative |title=October 7: Forensic analysis shows Hamas abuses, many false Israeli claims |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=March 21, 2024 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/21/october-7-forensic-analysis-shows-hamas-abuses-many-false-israeli-claims |access-date=March 21, 2024}}

During the October 7 assault, Human Rights Watch reported two instances where Palestinian militants used Israeli civilians as human shields. In Be'eri, fighters held civilians in a home and threatened to kill them if Israeli forces attacked. When the Israelis did fire, it led to the deaths of militants and hostages. In Nahal Oz, a fighter used 17-year-old Tomer Arava Eliaz to move between homes and potentially block attacks, and Tomer was later found dead. A purported "hostage detention plan" suggested using hostages as human shields, but its authenticity could not be verified by Human Rights Watch.{{Cite report |last=Wille |first=Belkis |date=July 17, 2024 |title="I Can't Erase All the Blood from My Mind" |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2024/07/17/i-cant-erase-all-blood-my-mind/palestinian-armed-groups-october-7-assault-israel |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}

{{Further|2023–2024 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip|Gaza Strip evacuations|Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip|Siege of Gaza City}}

After the initial breach of the Gaza perimeter by Palestinian militants and civilians, it took hours for the Israeli military to send troops to counterattack.{{cite news |title=Many Israelis accuse government's of inept, chaotic response to October 7 massacre |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/many-israelis-accuse-governments-of-inept-chaotic-response-to-october-7-massacre/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113074458/https://www.timesofisrael.com/many-israelis-accuse-governments-of-inept-chaotic-response-to-october-7-massacre/ |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}} The first helicopters were launched from the north of Israel, and arrived in Gaza an hour after fighting began.{{cite news |script-title=he:הטעיה של חמאס למסוקי צה"ל והכוונת טייסים בוואטסאפ |title=hataya shel chamas lemesuki tza"le vehakavnet taysim bevatsup |trans-title=Hamas deception of IDF helicopters |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/b111niukzt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113050601/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/b111niukzt |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |access-date=November 13, 2023 |publisher=YNET |language=he}} Israel had difficulty determining which outposts and communities were occupied, and distinguishing between Palestinian militants and the soldiers and civilians on the ground.

The Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip began at 9:45am, and at 10:00am Israel claimed responsibility for the attacks.{{cite news |title=What happened in Israel? A breakdown of how Hamas attack unfolded: 06:45 GMT – Israeli attacks |url=https://aje.io/g9ca7r |access-date= August 24, 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera English |date=October 9, 2023}} The IDF declared a state of emergency for areas within {{convert|80|km|mi|sp=us}} of the Gaza border and began targeted actions in Gaza.{{cite web |title=Hamas-Israel War – Real Time Updates |url=https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hamas-israel-war-october-2023/real-time-updates-hamas-israel-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013102344/https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/hamas-israel-war-october-2023/real-time-updates-hamas-israel-war/ |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |website=idf.il}}{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Two Israeli tourists and local guide shot dead in Egypt, Israel says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67046394 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008120503/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67046394 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |publisher=BBC News}}

In a televised broadcast, Netanyahu said: "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".{{Cite tweet |number=1710622311760413115 |user=netanyahu |date=October 7, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |language=he |script-title=he:דבריי בפתח ישיבת הקבינט |trans-title=My words at the beginning of the cabinet meeting:}} In a later address, he threatened to "turn Gaza into a deserted island" and urged its residents to "leave now". Israel's Security Cabinet voted to undertake 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.{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Security cabinet says Israel will destroy military, governmental abilities of Hamas, Islamic Jihad |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/security-cabinet-says-israel-will-destroy-military-governmental-abilities-of-hamas-islamic-jihad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000150/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/security-cabinet-says-israel-will-destroy-military-governmental-abilities-of-hamas-islamic-jihad/ |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}} The Israel Electric Corporation, which supplies up to 80% of Gaza's electricity, cut off power to the area.

{{Main|Hannibal Directive}}

According to a December 2023 Ynet article, there was also an "immense and complex quantity" of friendly-fire incidents during the October 7 attack.{{cite news |last=Cook |first=Jonathan |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Why is western media ignoring evidence of Israel's own actions on 7 October? |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-palestine-war-media-ignoring-evidence-actions-7-october |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215161307/https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-palestine-war-media-ignoring-evidence-actions-7-october |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |url-status=live |work=Middle East Eye}} In January 2024, an investigation by Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth concluded that the IDF had in practice applied the Hannibal Directive, ordering all combat units to stop "at all costs" any attempt by Hamas militants to return to Gaza, even if there were hostages with them.{{cite news |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |author1-link=Ronen Bergman |last2=Zitun |first2=Yoav |date=January 10, 2024 |script-title=he:ההוראה: למנוע ממחבלים לחזור לעזה 'בכל מחיר', גם אם יש איתם חטופים |title=hahor'a: lemanoa mimchavlim lechzor le'eza tavivkel mechir, gam am yesh itam hatofim |trans-title=The instructions: prevent terrorists from returning to Gaza "at all costs" even if there are hostages with them |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/yokra13754368 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224193530/https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/yokra13754368 |archive-date=February 24, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |url-status=live |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite news |last1=Bergman |first1=Ronen |author-link=Ronen Bergman |last2=Zitun |first2=Yoav |date=January 12, 2024 |title=השעות הראשונות של השבת השחורה |trans-title=The first hours of Black Saturday |url=https://w.ynet.co.il/yediot/7-days/time-of-darkness |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118162157/https://w.ynet.co.il/yediot/7-days/time-of-darkness |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=Yedioth Ahronoth |language=he}} The directive was first employed at 7:18 AM at the Erez border crossing to prevent soldiers stationed there from being taken captive. At 10:32 AM, an order was issued to all battalions in the area to fire mortars towards Gaza. Documents obtained by Haaretz and the testimonies of soldiers show that use of the Hannibal Directive was "widespread" after an order was issued to the Gaza Division at 11:22 AM that "Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza." At 2:00 p.m., all units were instructed not to leave border communities or chase anyone into Gaza, as the border was under heavy, indiscriminate fire. At 6:40 p.m., the army launched artillery raids at the border area "very close" to Kibbutz Be'eri and Kfar Azza.{{Cite web |last=Kubovich |first=Yaniv |date=July 7, 2024 |title=IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-ordered-hannibal-directive-on-october-7-to-prevent-hamas-taking-soldiers-captive/00000190-89a2-d776-a3b1-fdbe45520000?v=1720524055560 |website=Haaretz |quote=the message conveyed at 11:22 A.M. across the Gaza Division network was understood by everyone. 'Not a single vehicle can return to Gaza' was the order. At this point, the IDF was not aware of the extent of kidnapping along the Gaza border, but it did know that many people were involved. Thus, it was entirely clear what that message meant, and what the fate of some of the kidnapped people would be.}} It is unclear how many hostages were killed by friendly fire. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, around 70 burnt-out vehicles on roads leading to Gaza had been fired on by helicopters or tanks, killing all occupants in at least some cases.

Helicopter crews initially poured down fire at a tremendous rate, attacking about 300 targets in four hours. Later, the crews began to slow their attacks and carefully select targets. According to Haaretz journalist Josh Breiner, a police source said that a police investigation found that an IDF helicopter that had fired on Hamas militants "apparently also hit some festival participants" in the Nova music festival massacre.{{cite news |last=Breiner |first=Josh |date=November 18, 2023 |title=Israeli Security Establishment: Hamas Likely Didn't Have Advance Knowledge of Nova Festival |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-18/ty-article/.premium/israeli-security-establishment-hamas-likely-didnt-have-prior-knowledge-of-nova-festival/0000018b-e2ee-d168-a3ef-f7fe8ca20000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118160048/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-18/ty-article/.premium/israeli-security-establishment-hamas-likely-didnt-have-prior-knowledge-of-nova-festival/0000018b-e2ee-d168-a3ef-f7fe8ca20000 |archive-date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |work=Haaretz |quote=According to a police source, the investigation also indicates that an IDF combat helicopter that arrived to the scene and fired at terrorists there apparently also hit some festival participants.}} The Israeli police denied the report.{{cite web |date=November 19, 2023 |title=Israel Police slams 'Haaretz' claim IDF helicopter may have harmed civilians on Oct. 7 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-police-slams-haaretz-claim-idf-helicopter-may-have-harmed-civilians-on-oct-7/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119164605/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-police-slams-haaretz-claim-idf-helicopter-may-have-harmed-civilians-on-oct-7/ |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}} In the aftermath of the attack, Israel buried hundreds of burned cars that were at the scene of the attacks "To preserve the sanctity of those murdered by Hamas."{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2023 |title=This is why Israel plans to bury hundreds of cars, with ashes and blood stains |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-774511 |access-date=July 9, 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429073249/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-774511 |url-status=live }} Subsequent investigation has determined that militants had been instructed not to run so that the air force would think they were Israelis. This deception worked for some time, but pilots began to realize the problem and ignore their restrictions. By around 9 a.m., amid the chaos, some helicopters started laying down fire without prior authorization.

A report by a UN Commission published in June 2024 found that the Israeli security forces used the Hannibal Directive in several instances on October 7. In one example, a tank crew confirmed that they had applied the directive when they shot at a vehicle suspected of carrying kidnapped Israeli soldiers. The report also said that in two instances, Israeli forces "had likely applied the Hannibal Directive," resulting in the killing of up to 14 Israeli civilians.{{cite news |author1=Nicola Smith |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Israel killed own citizens on October 7 in 'Hannibal Directive', UN claims |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/06/13/israel-killed-dozen-own-citizens-on-october-7-un-claims/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240615152306/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/06/13/israel-killed-dozen-own-citizens-on-october-7-un-claims/ |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |title=UN finds at least 14 Israelis likely intentionally killed by own army on 7 October |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-un-killed-own-soldiers-army-7-october |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}

A July 2024 Haaretz investigation revealed that the IDF ordered the Hannibal Directive to be used, adding: "Haaretz does not know whether or how many civilians and soldiers were hit due to these procedures, but the cumulative data indicates that many of the kidnapped people were at risk, exposed to Israeli gunfire, even if they were not the target."{{Cite news |last=Yaniv |first=Kubovich |date=July 7, 2024 |title=IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-ordered-hannibal-directive-on-october-7-to-prevent-hamas-taking-soldiers-captive/00000190-89a2-d776-a3b1-fdbe45520000 |access-date= |work=Haaretz |archive-date=July 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709123853/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-07-07/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-ordered-hannibal-directive-on-october-7-to-prevent-hamas-taking-soldiers-captive/00000190-89a2-d776-a3b1-fdbe45520000 |url-status=live }} One of these decisions was made at 7:18 A.M., when an observation post reported someone had been kidnapped at the Erez crossing, close to the IDF's liaison office. "Hannibal at Erez" came the command from divisional headquarters, "dispatch a Zik." The Zik is an unmanned assault drone, and the meaning of this command was clear, Haaretz reported.

Haaretz further reported that at at 6:40 P.M. military intelligence believed militants were intending to flee back to Gaza in an organized manner from near Kibbutz Be'eri, Kfar Azza and Kissufim. In response the army launched artillery at the border fence area, very close to some of these communities. Shells were also fired at the Erez border crossing shortly thereafter. The IDF says it is not aware of any civilians being hurt in these bombardments. Haaretz notes one case in which it is known that civilians were hit, in the house of Pessi Cohen at Kibbutz Be'eri. 14 hostages were in the house as the IDF attacked it, with 13 of them killed.

A source in the Southern Command of the IDF told Haaretz:

Everyone knew by then that such vehicles could be carrying kidnapped civilians or soldiers...There was no case in which a vehicle carrying kidnapped people was knowingly attacked, but you couldn't really know if there were any such people in a vehicle. I can't say there was a clear instruction, but everyone knew what it meant to not let any vehicles return to Gaza.

{{Main|Allegations of genocide in the 7 October Hamas-led attack on Israel}}{{See also|Gaza genocide}}

According to several international law and genocide studies experts, Hamas' assault amounted to genocide.{{Cite web |publisher=Genocide Watch |date=October 19, 2023 |title=Genocide Emergency Alert: Israel and Gaza |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/genocide-emergency-alert-israel-and-gaza |access-date=December 7, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=October 15, 2023 |title=Hamas actions are war crimes, could constitute genocide – international law experts |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-actions-are-war-crimes-could-constitute-genocide-international-law-experts/}}{{Cite news |last=Sokol |first=Sam |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Deadly Hamas Rampage Constitutes 'International Crime of Genocide,' Hundreds of Legal Experts Say |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-16/ty-article/hamas-deadly-rampage-constitutes-crime-of-genocide-hundreds-of-legal-experts-say/0000018b-37d1-d450-a3af-7fddda070000 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |work=Haaretz}} Legal and genocide experts have condemned the attack,{{cite news |last1=Gettleman |first1=Jeffrey |author1-link=Jeffrey Gettleman |last2=Sella |first2=Adam |last3=Schwartz |first3=Anat |author3-link=Anat Schwartz |date=December 4, 2023 |title=What We Know About Sexual Violence During the Oct. 7 Attacks on Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-israel-hamas-sexual-violence.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204200541/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/world/middleeast/oct-7-attacks-israel-hamas-sexual-violence.html |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=December 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Israel investigates an elusive, horrific enemy: Rape as a weapon of war |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/25/israel-hamas-rape-sexual-violence/ |access-date=December 7, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} saying it represents a serious violation of international law. They argue that Hamas carried out these actions with the intent to destroy the Israeli national group.{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2023 |title=Legal Experts: Hamas committed War Crimes, Genocide |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/legal-experts-hamas-committed-war-crimes-genocide |access-date=December 7, 2023 |website=Genocide Watch}} Some commentators point to Hamas's founding charter, which advocates for the destruction of Israel, contains antisemitic language, and, according to certain researchers, implies a call for the genocide of Jews.{{Cite news |title=How the term "genocide" is misused in the Israel-Hamas war |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/11/10/how-the-term-genocide-is-misused-in-the-israel-hamas-war |access-date=December 7, 2023 |issn=0013-0613}}

Khaled Mashal lauded the Hamas attack, calling it legitimate resistance to Israeli occupation. He said, "We know very well the consequences of our operation on Oct. 7", emphasizing that Palestinian lives must be sacrificed in the quest for liberation.{{cite web |date=October 20, 2023 |title=Hamas official says group 'well aware' of consequences of attack on Israel, Palestinian liberation comes with 'sacrifices' |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2394966/middle-east |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102073534/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2394966/middle-east |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |access-date=November 2, 2023 |publisher=Arab News}}

Khalil al-Hayya, a senior member of Hamas, said the action was necessary to "change the entire equation and not just have a clash... We succeeded in putting the Palestinian issue back on the table, and now no one in the region is experiencing calm."{{Cite news |last1=Hubbard |first1=Ben |last2=Abi-Habib |first2=Maria |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Behind Hamas's Bloody Gambit to Create a 'Permanent' State of War |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-gaza-war.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111105142/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/world/middleeast/hamas-israel-gaza-war.html |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}

Taher El-Nounou, a Hamas media adviser, said that he hoped "that the state of war with Israel will become permanent on all the borders, and that the Arab world will stand with [Hamas]".

Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas official, said in an interview: "We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do this again and again. The Al-Aqsa Flood is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth. Because we have the determination...to fight."{{cite web |date=November 1, 2023 |title='We will repeat October 7 again and again' – Hamas official |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-771199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231112091745/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-771199 |archive-date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |publisher=The Jerusalem Post}} He emphasized Hamas's willingness to "pay a price", concluding with a call for the elimination of Israel: "We must remove that country because it constitutes a security, military and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nations".{{cite news |last1=Pacchiani |first1=Gianluca |last2=Bachner |first2=Michael |title=Hamas official says group aims to repeat Oct. 7 onslaught many times to destroy Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-official-says-group-aims-to-repeat-oct-7-onslaught-many-times-to-destroy-israel/#:~:text=A%20senior%20member%20of%20Hamas,future%20until%20Israel%20is%20exterminated |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107182541/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-official-says-group-aims-to-repeat-oct-7-onslaught-many-times-to-destroy-israel/#:~:text=A%20senior%20member%20of%20Hamas,future%20until%20Israel%20is%20exterminated. |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=November 7, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}}

Hamas denied killing any children in the attack.{{cite news |title=Hamas denies it killed children in fight with Israel |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-denies-it-killed-children-in-fight-with-israel/3015680 |publisher=Anadolu Agency |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104205316/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-denies-it-killed-children-in-fight-with-israel/3015680 |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023}} Its official announcement referring to the event rejected the "falsehood of the fabricated allegations" promoted by some Western media outlets. When asked about the Re'im music festival massacre, where 260 civilians were murdered, Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzook replied that it was a "coincidence", and that the attackers may have thought these were soldiers "resting".{{Cite news |date=October 11, 2023 |title=A Hamas leader refuses to admit his group planned to kill civilians |url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/10/11/a-hamas-leader-refuses-to-admit-his-group-planned-to-kill-civilians |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107124816/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/10/11/a-hamas-leader-refuses-to-admit-his-group-planned-to-kill-civilians |archive-date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}{{cite news |title=Hamas says October 7 attack was a 'necessary step', admits to 'some faults' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/21/hamas-says-october-7-attack-was-a-necessary-step-admits-to-some-faults |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204194616/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/21/hamas-says-october-7-attack-was-a-necessary-step-admits-to-some-faults |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera English}}

In January 2024, Hamas released a report titled "Our Narrative", which accepted "some faults" but continued to deny having intentionally targeted civilians, blamed Israel for deaths, and justified the attacks as "a necessary step and a normal response to confront all Israeli conspiracies against the Palestinian people".{{cite news |title=Hamas says October 7 attack on Israel was a 'necessary step' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/21/hamas-says-october-7-attack-was-a-necessary-step-admits-to-some-faults |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204194616/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/21/hamas-says-october-7-attack-was-a-necessary-step-admits-to-some-faults |archive-date=February 4, 2024 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |publisher=Al Jazeera English}}

On the eve of the Hamas attack at the emergency meeting in Ramallah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the Palestinian people had the right to defend themselves against the terror of settlers and occupation troops.{{cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Abbas: Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-palestinians-abbas-idAFS8N3AU0AU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104204042/https://www.reuters.com/article/israel-palestinians-abbas-idAFS8N3AU0AU |archive-date=November 4, 2023 |access-date=November 4, 2023 |newspaper=Reuters}} According to Palestinian government agency WAFA, Abbas also ordered the government and relevant authorities to immediately send all available resources to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza under Israeli aggression.{{Cite web |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/138006 |title=President Abbas orders immediate dispatch of aid to Gaza amidst Israeli aggression |publisher=WAFA}} On October 16, he declared that "Hamas' actions don't represent the Palestinians".{{Cite news |title=Abbas says Hamas actions 'don't represent Palestinians,' then seems to backtrack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-says-hamas-actions-dont-represent-palestinians-then-seems-to-backtrack/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101210102/https://www.timesofisrael.com/abbas-says-hamas-actions-dont-represent-palestinians-then-seems-to-backtrack/ |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |access-date=January 1, 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite news |title=President Abbas says Hamas' actions do not represent Palestinians |date=October 16, 2023 |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/16/President-Abbas-says-Hamas-actions-do-not-represent-Palestinians |work=Al Arabiya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101210102/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/16/President-Abbas-says-Hamas-actions-do-not-represent-Palestinians |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |access-date=January 1, 2024}}

On October 30, Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian Christian official, said the attacks were an act of resistance launched against the IDF.{{cite news |last1=Gilani |first1=Iftikhar |title='This was an act of resistance against the occupation army': Hanan Ashrawi |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/world-affairs/hanan-ashrawi-spokesperson-for-plo-interview-on-palestine-hamas-attack/article67465345.ece |work=Frontline |date=October 30, 2023}}

In March 2024, Fatah – the party that controls the Palestinian Authority – released a statement accusing Hamas of "having caused the return of the Israeli occupation of Gaza". The Fatah comments came in response to criticism by Hamas and its allies over Abbas' appointment of Mohammed Mustafa as the new PA prime minister following the resignation of Mohammed Shtayyeh.{{Cite news |date=March 15, 2024 |title=Fatah hits back at criticism of new PM by Hamas, other Palestinian groups |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240315-hamas-other-palestinian-factions-decry-naming-of-new-pm |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=France 24 |language=en}}

On May 16, 2024, Mahmoud Abbas said that Hamas's unilateral military action on October 7 provided Israel with justification for attacks in the Gaza Strip. He emphasized opposition to harming civilians. In response, Hamas expressed regret for the remarks, asserting that the attack elevated the Palestinian cause and yielded strategic gains.{{Cite news |date=May 17, 2024 |title=PA's Abbas accuses Hamas of giving Israel 'pretexts' for Gaza war with Oct. 7 attack |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/pas-abbas-accuses-hamas-of-giving-israel-pretexts-for-gaza-war-with-oct-7-attack/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20military%20action%20that%20Hamas,to%20a%20Channel%2012%20translation. |work=The Times of Israel}}

In November 2023, as a result of Israeli actions in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, Hamas' popularity among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank increased significantly.{{cite news |date=November 21, 2023 |title=Israel's Assault on Gaza Is Making Hamas More Popular and Destroying Hope for a Future Peace |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/israels-assault-on-gaza-is-making-hamas-more-popular |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208201526/https://www.thedailybeast.com/israels-assault-on-gaza-is-making-hamas-more-popular |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |work=The Daily Beast}} In a survey conducted on November 14 by the Arab World for Research and Development (AWRAD), Palestinians showed overwhelming support for the attack. It said, "Palestinians living in the West Bank overwhelmingly answered that they supported the attack to either an extreme or 'somewhat' extent (83.1%)."{{Cite news |last=Greyman-Kennard |first=Danielle |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank strongly support Hamas, October 7 attack |url=https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-773791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117235748/https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-773791 |archive-date=November 17, 2023 |access-date=November 18, 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}{{Cite web |last=Koningsveld |first=Akiva Van |date=November 17, 2023 |title=Three in four Palestinians support Hamas's massacre |url=https://www.jns.org/three-in-four-palestinians-support-hamass-massacre/ |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=Jewish News Syndicate}}{{Cite web |last=Azriel |first=Guy |last2=Grace |first2=Paz |date=November 16, 2023 |title=Survey finds majority in the West Bank support the Oct 7 massacre |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/1700158968-survey-finds-majority-in-the-west-bank-justify-the-oct-7-massacre |access-date=November 18, 2023 |website=I24news}} In Gaza, Palestinians exhibited lesser consensus, with only 63.6% "extremely" or "somewhat" supporting the attack. 14.4% answered they neither opposed or supported the attack, and 20.9% opposed the attack to some degree. Only 10% of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank said they believed Hamas committed war crimes during the attack on Israel.

By 2024, support for the attacks had significantly dropped. According to a poll published in September by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PSR), 57% of respondents in the Gaza Strip said the decision to launch the offensive was incorrect, while 39% said it was correct. In the West Bank, most still considered the attacks justified despite a decline in support.{{cite news |last=Al-Mughrabi |first=Nidal |last2=Sawafta |first2=Ali |date=8 October 2024 |title=Hamas faces dissent in Gaza as heavy toll weakens support for war, a year on |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/year-after-oct-7-hamas-faces-dissent-gaza-war-takes-toll-2024-10-08/ |access-date=October 8, 2024 |publisher=Reuters}}

{{Main|Israeli government response to the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel|}}

File:OpenStreetMap image of Northern Gaza Evacuation Line.png]]

Israel 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", adding that reservists were to be deployed not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank and along the borders with Lebanon and Syria.{{Cite news |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/07/Army-says-it-is-fighting-Gaza-militants-who-entered-Israel-by-land-sea-and-air- |title=Army says it is fighting Gaza militants who entered Israel by land, sea and air |date=October 7, 2023 |work=Al Arabiya |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007112343/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/07/Army-says-it-is-fighting-Gaza-militants-who-entered-Israel-by-land-sea-and-air- |url-status=live}} Residents in areas near Gaza were asked to stay inside, while civilians in southern and central Israel were "required to stay next to shelters". Roads around Gaza were closed by the IDF. Tel Aviv's streets were also locked down.

After the attack, Israel declared a heightened state of preparedness for conflict.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-rocket-attack-hamas |title=Netanyahu says 'we are at war' after major Hamas attack |date=October 7, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008000139/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/07/israel-gaza-rocket-attack-hamas/ |url-status=live}} The IDF declared a state of readiness for war, and Netanyahu convened an emergency gathering of security authorities. Israeli Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai announced that a "state of war" existed, following what he called "a massive attack from the Gaza Strip".{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Missiles strike southern & central Israel; police declare state of war |url=https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Missiles-strike-southern-central-Israel-police-declare-state-of-war-31321 |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=JordanNews |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094646/https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Missiles-strike-southern-central-Israel-police-declare-state-of-war-31321 |url-status=live}} He also announced the closure of all of southern Israel to "civilian movement" and the Yamam counterterrorism unit's deployment to the area.{{Cite news |date=October 7, 2023 |title=Missiles strike southern & central Israel; police declare state of war |url=https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Missiles-strike-southern-central-Israel-police-declare-state-of-war-31321 |website=Jordan News |language= |archive-date=October 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094646/https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-20/Middle-East/Missiles-strike-southern-central-Israel-police-declare-state-of-war-31321 |url-status=live}} 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.

Ben Gurion Airport and Ramon Airport remained operational, but multiple airlines canceled flights.{{cite news |last=Trabelsy |first=Nevo |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Ben Gurion airport stays open as foreign airlines cancel flights |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-ben-gurion-airport-stays-open-as-foreign-airlines-cancel-flights-1001459661 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008230802/https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-ben-gurion-airport-stays-open-as-foreign-airlines-cancel-flights-1001459661 |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |work=Globes}} Israel Railways suspended service in parts of the country and replaced some routes with temporary bus routes,{{cite web |url=https://www.rail.co.il/?page=special-update-081023 |trans-title=Updates and changes in train traffic until further notice |script-title=he:עדכונים ושינויים בתנועת הרכבות, עד להודעה חדשה |title=adkunim veshinu'im bitno'at harkavot, ad lehodaa hadsha |language=he |work=Israel Railways |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012021622/https://rail.co.il/?page=special-update-081023 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.railjournal.com/regions/middle-east/war-with-gaza-cuts-train-services-in-israel/ |title=War with Gaza cuts train services in Israel |work=International Railway Journal |first=Jeremaya |last=Goldberg |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011093427/https://www.railjournal.com/regions/middle-east/war-with-gaza-cuts-train-services-in-israel/ |url-status=live}} and cruise ships removed the ports of Ashdod and Haifa from their itineraries.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/cruise-lines-change-cancel-itineraries-following-israel-attack/ |title=Cruise Lines Change, Cancel Itineraries Following Israel Attack |work=Cruise Critic |first=Aaron |last=Saunders |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010190604/https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/cruise-lines-change-cancel-itineraries-following-israel-attack |url-status=live}}

{{main|Confessions of detained Palestinians in the Gaza war}}Following the attack, more than 600 militants were captured in Israel. Israel has claimed the interrogation of suspects revealed significant insights into the group's strategies, ideologies, and operational methods that played a crucial role in its military response and in shaping the global understanding of the conflict.{{Cite news |last=Ilnai |first=Itay |title=Detained terrorists: 'Hamas has become akin to animals; they've become ISIS' |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjnc0ysx6 |access-date=December 8, 2023 |work=Ynetnews |date=November 5, 2023 |archive-date=December 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222194840/https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjnc0ysx6|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |title=An apartment and $10K promised for each Israeli captive, captured terrorist says |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/rticle/hkm3zrvmt |access-date=December 8, 2023 |work=Ynetnews |date=October 23, 2023 |time=23:06 IST}}{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Raf |title=Inside Shin Bet's interrogation of 50 Hamas fighters |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/shin-bet-interrogation-hamas-rcna125748 |access-date=December 8, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |date=November 19, 2023 |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209101801/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/shin-bet-interrogation-hamas-rcna125748 |url-status=live}} Israel's aim was to support its narrative and counter Hamas narratives.

However, a number of sources have questioned if Israel forced Palestinians to make confessions. Some of the militants in the videos appear to be bloodied and in pain.{{cite news |title=UN's António Guterres calls for immediate ceasefire to end 'epic suffering' in Gaza|first= Rory|last=Carroll |date=24 October 2023|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/un-calls-for-immediate-ceasefire-to-end-epic-suffering-in-gaza |work=The Guardian}} On November 14, AP News analyzed that a confession video Israel released showed the captured militant was speaking "clearly under duress".{{Cite news |last=Federman |first=Josef |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Is Hamas hiding in Gaza's main hospital? Israel's claim is now a focal point in a dayslong stalemate |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-shifa-hospital-ce8fda9821a011a6cb6e4a3df5c90916 |publisher=Associated Press}} Palestinians detainees released after October 7 have reported that Israeli authorities order them to make statements, beat them severely, and sometimes ask them to make statements with a gun pointed to their face.{{cite news |title=The Palestinian teenagers suddenly freed from jail in Hamas hostage deal |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a986d105-4e74-4609-a145-778ac341bf05 |first=Mehul |last=Srivastava |work=Financial Times}}{{Cite web |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Israel/OPT: Horrifying cases of torture and degrading treatment of Palestinian detainees amid spike in arbitrary arrests |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/11/israel-opt-horrifying-cases-of-torture-and-degrading-treatment-of-palestinian-detainees-amid-spike-in-arbitrary-arrests/ |access-date=November 9, 2023 |website=Amnesty International}} The UN and reports by human rights organizations such as B'Tselem and media outlets have confirmed Israeli systematic use of torture during the Gaza War, including rape, gang-rape, sexualized torture and mutilation of detained Palestinian men, women and children by Israeli guards, including during interrogations.

• {{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Palestinians 'beaten and sexually assaulted' at Israeli detention centres, UN report claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/05/gazan-detainees-beaten-and-sexually-assaulted-at-israeli-detention-centres-un-report-claims |access-date=March 18, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}
• {{Cite news |date=July 29, 2024 |title=Palestinians recount deadly abuse in Israeli prisons: 'It is Guantánamo' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/29/palestinian-prisoners-israel-jails-abuse/ |access-date=August 16, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}
• {{cite news |last1=Graham-Harrison |first1=Emma |last2=Taha |first2=Sufian |last3=McKernan |first3=Bethan |last4=Kierszenbaum |first4=Quique |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Torture, abuse and humiliation: Palestinians on Israeli prison 'hell' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/aug/05/torture-abuse-and-humiliation-palestinians-on-israeli-prison-hell?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other |access-date=August 17, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}
• {{Cite news |title='Raped by female soldiers': Palestinian in leaked Sde Teiman photo speaks out |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/raped-female-soldiers-palestinian-leaked-sde-teiman-photo-speaks-out |access-date=August 16, 2024 |work=Middle East Eye |language=en}}
• {{cite news |date=August 10, 2024 |title=Palestinian in leaked Sde Teiman photo speaks out |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WKeKZ6Csro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811152052/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WKeKZ6Csro |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=Middle East Eye}}
• {{Cite web |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Welcome to Hell: The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps |url=https://www.btselem.org/publications/202408_welcome_to_hell |website=B'Tselem}}

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International stated that taped alleged confessions released by the Israeli military were likely extracted under torture, violate international law and basic human rights, and should be considered inadmissible as credible evidence.{{cite news |last1=Hearst |first1=Katherine |date=March 29, 2024 |title=War on Gaza: Israel likely tortured Palestinian to record rape confession, say rights groups |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-israel-war-likely-tortured-palestinian-rape-confession-rights-groups |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=Middle East Eye}} They also called on the Israeli government to cease publishing such taped "confessions". Physicians for Human Rights Israel also denounced alleged taped confessions, citing "severe concern that the interrogations included the use of torture."{{cite news |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Gender-Based Violence as a Weapon of War during the October 7 Hamas Attacks |url=https://www.phr.org.il/en/gender-based-violence-eng/ |access-date=July 26, 2024 |agency=Physicians for Human Rights – Israel}}

File:Isaac Herzog in Rahat, October 2023 (1446).jpeg in the city of Rahat with the heads of the Bedouin community and the families of kidnapped and murdered Bedouins, October 26, 2023]]

Arab Israeli politicians, including the United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas and Arab Knesset member Ayman Odeh, condemned the Hamas-led attack on Israel.{{cite news |last=Teller |first=Neville |date=October 24, 2023 |title=The Arab Israeli community stands in solidarity against Hamas – opinion |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-769843 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024064722/https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-769843 |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post}}{{cite news |title=Arab Israeli Lawmaker Abbas Denounces Hamas Attack, Says the Massacre Does Not 'Represent Our Arab Society' |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-07/ty-article/.premium/arab-list-mk-abbas-denounces-hamas-attack-says-massacre-doesnt-represent-arab-society/0000018b-aa11-d5aa-a19f-affb1b4b0000 |work=Haaretz |date=November 7, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215144224/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-07/ty-article/.premium/arab-list-mk-abbas-denounces-hamas-attack-says-massacre-doesnt-represent-arab-society/0000018b-aa11-d5aa-a19f-affb1b4b0000 |url-status=live}} Israel's Social Equality Minister Amichai Chikli said, "the Arab population has shown much solidarity and responsibility, and this is especially true for the Bedouin population in the Negev."

{{See also|International reactions to the Gaza war}}

Celebrations in [[Iran, October 7, 2023|thumb]]

At least 44 nations denounced Hamas and explicitly condemned its conduct as terrorism, including a joint statement by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany. In contrast, Arab and Muslim countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Iran and Iraq blamed Israel's policy of occupying the Palestinians for the attack. The UAE, Bahrain, and China have amended their initial declarations to expressly denounce the killing and abduction of Israeli civilians. According to a poll conducted by The Washington Institute for Near East Policy between November 14 and December 6, 2023, 95% of Saudis did not believe that Hamas had killed civilians in its attack on Israel.{{cite news |last=Nereim |first=Vivian |date=December 22, 2023 |title=Saudis Overwhelmingly Oppose Ties With Israel, Poll Finds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/world/middleeast/saudi-arabia-poll-israel-gaza-war-hamas.html |work=The New York Times}}

Over 680 legal experts and 128 human rights experts from Israel and around the world have signed an appeal for the immediate release of all hostages kidnapped by Hamas, and for the end of the "vicious and inhumane capture, violence, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of women and girls, children and infants." According to the appeal, "the abductees are defined according to international law as victims of enforced disappearance... [which makes these acts] blatant violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity."{{Cite web |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Law Professors and Human Rights Experts: Holding Hostages in Gaza is a Crime Against Humanity |url=https://www.lawprofsforum.org/post/an-urgent-appeal-from-human-rights-law-professors-oct-9-2023 |access-date=November 8, 2023 |website=The Israeli Law Professors' Forum for Democracy |language=en |archive-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108002045/https://www.lawprofsforum.org/post/an-urgent-appeal-from-human-rights-law-professors-oct-9-2023 |url-status=live}}

The United Nations, particularly the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), faced criticism for failing to condemn Hamas's actions against women and failing to voice disapproval of reports of sexual and gender-based violence against Israeli women and girls.{{Cite web |last=Eglash |first=Ruth Marks |date=November 19, 2023 |title=United Nations slammed for silence over Hamas rapes, mutilation and murder of Israeli women, critics say |url=https://news.yahoo.com/united-nations-slammed-silence-over-174157036.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127024452/https://news.yahoo.com/united-nations-slammed-silence-over-174157036.html |archive-date=November 27, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Yahoo News}}{{Cite news |last=Btobl |first=Amelie |date=November 23, 2023 |title=Global women's rights groups silent as Israeli women testify about rapes by Hamas |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/global-womens-rights-groups-silent-as-israeli-women-testify-about-rapes-by-hamas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129161152/https://www.timesofisrael.com/global-womens-rights-groups-silent-as-israeli-women-testify-about-rapes-by-hamas/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite news |last=Moaveni |first=Azadeh |date=May 9, 2024 |title=What They Did to Our Women |url=https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n09/azadeh-moaveni/what-they-did-to-our-women |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=London Review of Books |language=en |volume=46 |issue=9 |issn=0260-9592}}

In response Sarah Hendrik, an official from UN Women, one of the UN agencies subject to these criticisms, stated that "within the UN family, these investigations are led by the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights", and that her agency did not have the legal competence to determine culpability. Azadeh Moaveni reported that claims of double standards or lack of condemnation by UN Women were incorrect, as:

UN Women has not inveighed against conflict-related sexual violence in Yemen, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Colombia or Mali, and its condemnations of rape in the DRC, Central African Republic, Syria and Iraq came years after the events themselves. Where it has responded more swiftly (and then only within months), it has done so in places where the UN had teams on the ground investigating and documenting abuses, or as a result of UN-wide appeals. UN Women has never named a specific group or perpetrator. According to its own protocols, it has been vociferous in responding to October 7 – as many as eight times in the first two months – through statements, social media posts and session remarks.

• Denial of the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel
• List of major terrorist incidents
• List of massacres in Israel
• Outline of the Gaza war
• Ramadan Offensive (2003)
• September 11 attacks
• Timeline of the Gaza war
• Gaza genocide
• Hurricane (Eden Golan song)

{{notelist|

{{efn|name=2minds| Israel has identified Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif as the key individuals in planning the attacks, the leadership abroad and the rest of the political wing were not directly involved.{{Cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-masterminds-top-israel-s-dead-man-walking-hit-list |title=Hamas masterminds top Israel's 'dead man walking' hit list |date=October 19, 2023 |work=France 24}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-details-ultra-secret-buildup-to-october-7-and-isolation-of-hamas-in-its-wake/ |title=Report details Hamas's secret buildup to Oct 7, terror group's isolation in its wake|date=29 December 2023|work=The Times of Israel}} }}

}}

{{reflist}}

• Yaron, Lee. 10/7: 100 Human Stories. St. Martin's Press, New York, 2024. Winner of the Jewish Book Council Everett Family Foundation Award in 2024.“10/7: 100 Human Stories.” Library Journal 2024: 72.
• Yingst, Trey. [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/209763283-black-saturday Black Saturday: An Unfiltered Account of the October 7th Attack on Israel and the War in Gaza]. HarperCollins, 2024.

{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}

• All-Party Parliamentary Group Israel-UK. [https://www.7octparliamentarycommission.co.uk/ 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report] Chaired by Lord Roberts of Belgravia, 18 March 2025
• [https://www.hamas-massacre.net/ Crowd-sourced documentation of massacres]
• [https://oct7map.com/ Mapping the massacres]
• [https://saturday-october-seven.com/#/ Saturday October Seven (Documentation of massacres)]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao4q8ukvOkU Ex-Israeli Defense Minister's Recollection of October 7, 2023]

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