what happened two years ago today

Two years ago today, October 8, 2023, the Israel-Hamas war was raging following a massive surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel the previous day, October 7. The conflict began with Hamas launching a large-scale assault from Gaza into Israel, leading to hundreds of deaths on both sides, including Israeli civilians and soldiers, and numerous hostages taken by Hamas. The attack involved rocket barrages and infiltration by thousands of militants into Israeli towns near the Gaza border, causing widespread devastation, including a massacre at the Re'im music festival with over 260 bodies found. This marked the start of Israel's longest conflict with Hamas, with ongoing reciprocal attacks and significant casualties in the Gaza Strip as well. On October 8, 2023, Israeli forces continued fighting Hamas in towns like Sderot, and the international community was responding with pledges of support to Israel. The war and its impacts have continued over the following years, with commemorations and ongoing tensions around the anniversary of the attack.