What happened during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel?

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other militants, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, launched a coordinated, multi-front assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip.12

The attack began around 6:30 am with a massive barrage of at least 2,200 rockets, which overwhelmed the Iron Dome defense system. Simultaneously, at least 1,500 militants infiltrated Israel by land, sea, and air. They used explosives and bulldozers to breach the heavily fortified border, disabled Israeli communication networks, and crossed via motorboats and motorized paragliders.12

The assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, marking the deadliest day for Israel since its independence and for Jews since the Holocaust. Victims included families in kibbutzim and attendees of an outdoor music festival. Additionally, more than 240 people were taken hostage into Gaza. A United Nations report later found evidence of sexual violence committed during the attack.12