On October 7, 2023, a series of coordinated armed attacks were launched by Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel. This marked the first large-scale invasion of Israeli territory since 1948 and triggered an ongoing war in Gaza. The attacks involved rocket barrages, vehicle and paraglider incursions, and assaults on military bases and civilian communities. Approximately 1,195 people were killed in the attacks, including Israeli civilians, security forces, and foreign nationals. Many civilians were massacred, hostages were taken, and cases of sexual assault were reported. The day was described as the bloodiest in Israel's history and one of the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust. The attacks have had lasting consequences, including a prolonged conflict, international condemnation, complex geopolitical reactions, and ongoing hostage situations.
Historically, some other notable events have occurred on October 7, such as the start of the War in Afghanistan in 2001 and the first broadcast of Fox News in 1996, but the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks are the most significant recent event associated with this date.
