On October 7, 2023, Hamas and Palestinian militant groups launched a large- scale, coordinated armed attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. The attack involved the firing of thousands of rockets, infiltration by militants into southern Israel by land, sea, and air, and attacks on military bases and civilian communities. This assault resulted in about 1,195 deaths, including Israeli civilians, security forces, and foreign nationals, and about 250 Israelis were taken hostage. It was the deadliest day in Israel's history since its independence and led to an ongoing war in Gaza. The attack was widely condemned internationally as terrorism and triggered a major military conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Other significant historical events on October 7 include the start of the War in Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, the first broadcast of Fox News in 1996, and the first images of the far side of the Moon taken by the Soviet Luna 3 spacecraft in 1959.
The most notable recent and impactful event on October 7 remains the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023.
