As the anniversary of the devastating October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel is here. Here’s a look at some of the shocking and incredible visuals of the events that have unfolded since then.
1. The attacks began early on 7 October, 2023 with a barrage of at least 4,300 rockets launched against Israel as vehicle-transported and powered paraglider incursions made their way into Israel. Hamas fighters breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking military bases and massacring civilians
2. As part of the Hamas-led attacks, 364 civilians were killed and many more wounded at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot near kibbutz Re’im. At least 40 hostages were also taken hostage.
3. On 7 October 2023, during the Re’im music festival massacre, Shani Nicole Louk a 22-year-old German-Israeli tattoo artist was killed. Shortly after the attack, a video circulated showing her body paraded through the streets of Gaza by Hamas militants in the back of a pickup truck. The shocking images became a symbol of the militants’ conduct toward civilians in the Hamas attacks.
4. Over 1200 people were killed while more than 240 hostages were taken by Hamas and other attackers on Oct. 7. Relatives, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages held marches across Israel to call for their release.
5. Following the shocking Hamas attacks, the Israeli Air Force responded by conducting airstrikes targeting Hamas compounds, command centers, tunnels, and other targets.
6. 27 October 2023, the IDF launches a large-scale, multi-pronged ground incursion into parts of northern Gaza. The IDF built up a force of over 100,000 soldiers to go forward with the incursions.
7. On 6 May 2024, the IDF ordered civilians to evacuate Rafah as it would be moving in to On 7 May, the IDF seized control of the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing bordering Egypt.
8. Iran jumps into the fray and launches more than 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel, in response to a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 1 April, which killed a top commander, and several others.
9. On 31 July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was assassinated along with his personal bodyguard in the Iranian capital Tehran by an Israeli attack.
10. On 27 September 2024, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. The strike took place while Hezbollah leaders were meeting at an underground headquarters in Lebanon.
