The militant Hamas group attacked Israel on Saturday, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare: “We are at war.” According to Israel’s National Emergency Service, it was the deadliest attack in Israel in decades, killing at least 250 people died and hundreds more were injured.
Here’s what we know so far.
What happened?
Gaza’s ruling Hamas militant group launched an unprecedented multi-front attack on Israel at dawn on Saturday, firing thousands of rockets as dozens of Hamas fighters infiltrated the heavily fortified border in multiple locations by air, land and sea and conquered the border The country is unprepared for an important holiday, Simchat Torah, a normally joyful day when Jews complete the annual cycle of reading the Torah scroll.
As of Sunday, at least 350 Israelis have been killed and 1,800 injured, making it the deadliest day in Israel in decades.
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More than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli retaliatory attacks on Gaza, Palestinian health authorities said on Sunday.
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian militants fired a volley of rockets into Israel from Gaza City. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images
The militant group Hamas said it was holding “dozens” of Israeli civilians and soldiers captive in the Gaza Strip. Their capture marks a significant escalation in fighting.
In an attack of frightening proportions, armed Hamas fighters entered up to 22 locations outside the Gaza Strip, including towns and other communities up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the Gaza border. In some places they shot civilians and soldiers as the Israeli military struggled to find a response.
The Israeli military confirmed on Saturday that Hamas militants were holding Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage in Gaza. The military did not say how many hostages were taken. Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, an Israeli army spokesman, confirmed that a “significant” number of Israelis had been kidnapped.
In a televised address on Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously declared that Israel is at war, said the military would use its full force to destroy Hamas’ capabilities. But he warned: “This war will take time. It is going to be difficult.”
The shooting continued well after dark on Saturday, with militants holding hostages in clashes in two cities. Militants seized a police station in a third city, where Israeli forces fought to finally retake the building until Sunday morning.
Before dawn on Sunday, militants fired more rockets from Gaza, hitting a hospital in the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. The hospital was damaged, said senior hospital official Tal Bergman. A video provided by Barzilai Medical Center showed a large hole in a wall and chunks of debris scattered on the floor of what appeared to be empty rooms and a hallway. There were no reports of casualties.
Israeli airstrikes in Gaza intensified after dark, destroying residential buildings in powerful explosions, including a 14-story tower housing dozens of apartments and Hamas offices in central Gaza City. Shortly beforehand, the Israeli armed forces issued a warning.
Around 3 a.m., a loudspeaker on the roof of a mosque in Gaza City sounded a clear warning to residents of nearby apartment buildings: Evacuate immediately. Just minutes later, an Israeli airstrike reduced a nearby five-story building to rubble.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Hamas’ attacks “in the strongest possible terms”, urged the greatest possible restraint and emphasized that violence cannot solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Through his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres reiterated that “only through negotiations leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved.”
According to Dujarric, the Secretary-General said that “civilians must be respected and protected at all times,” as required by international law.
What did US leaders say in response to the attack?
On Saturday, officials across the United States responded to the attacks.
In brief remarks from the White House, President Biden said: “The people of Israel are under attack, organized by a terrorist organization, Hamas. I want to tell them and the world and terrorists everywhere that the United States stands with Israel.”
The president said he was in contact with King Abdullah II of Jordan as well as members of Congress regarding the situation. He said he had instructed his team to maintain contact with “leaders across the region.”
“We will make sure they get the help their citizens need and that they can continue to defend themselves,” Mr. Biden added.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the attacks in Israel in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on October 7, 2023. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Leaders in New York and New Jersey condemned the attacks on Saturday.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, whose city has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, called the attack a “cowardly act by a terrorist organization.”
The mayor said city authorities were monitoring the situation for possible threats.
“While there is no current credible threat to New York City, our administration is in contact with Jewish leaders in the five boroughs and we have directed the NYPD to provide additional resources to Jewish communities and houses of worship across the city to ensure our “Communities have the resources they need to ensure everyone feels safe,” Adams said in a statement.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to all the innocent people who lost their lives in these attacks and hope that no more family has to suffer the pain of losing a loved one,” he said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was “closely following” developments in Israel.
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this heinous attack on civilians,” Austin said. “In the coming days, the Defense Ministry will work to ensure that Israel has everything it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
Representative Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina, interim speaker and interim leader of the Republicans in Congress after California Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the speakership earlier this week, called Israel the “holiest ally” of the United States. on X.
“America stands with Israel,” McHenry said. “The people of Israel have our unwavering support and the Israeli government has every right to defend its citizens against this act of war.”
In a statement, National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said the U.S. “unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks” and “stands firmly with the government and people of Israel.” Watson said national security adviser Jake Sullivan has communicated with Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.
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