Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

On 7 October 2023, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups carried out the deadliest attack against Israeli civilians in history. The unprecedented criminal assault left Israeli society reeling from immense loss, shock, and grief. A total of 1,218 people were killed in southern Israel or in Hamas captivity, including 882 civilians and members of emergency response teams. Among the civilian fatalities were 280 women and 40 children. A small number of civilians were killed by Israeli military fire, either during the fighting or in attempts to prevent their abduction by armed Palestinians. Tens of thousands were injured, and 252 people – both living and deceased – were abducted to the Gaza Strip. The overwhelming majority of the hostages were Israeli civilians, including women, the elderly, and children, the youngest only nine months old. The assault included extremely severe acts of violence, including sexual violence, some of which ended in death.