Hamas militants carried out an extensive surprise attack on Israel over the weekend, killing and capturing dozens in multiple locations outside the Gaza Strip. One such location was a music festival near the Gaza border. At least 250 bodies were recovered at the site of the festival as of Sunday, according to The Associated Press.
The attack happened in the final hours of Nova, a marathon trance music festival. At around 6:00 a.m. local time, Hamas militants paraglided into the crowd. As attendees attempted to flee the festival, other militants arrived on foot, shooting at cars and taking many festival-goers hostage.
Arad Fructher, an Israeli intelligence officer who attended the festival, recalled hiding for over two hours in a grove of banana plants after fleeing the Nova grounds before eventually being rescued. One of his friends was shot in the attacks but managed to make it to the hospital, while he said he still didn’t know the whereabouts of other friends who attended the festival.
Israeli media told The Associated Press that at least 700 people were killed and 1,500 in total were wounded in Saturday’s attack, which took place on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. In response to the surprise invasion, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel to be at war with the group, which has been in charge of the Gaza Strip since 2007. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 232 people in the Gaza Strip were killed and 1,700 were wounded in retaliatory Israeli strikes.
According to Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, the strike was the culmination of Israel’s ongoing occupation of the Gaza Strip, its raids on the West Bank, and violence at Al Aqsa, the disputed Jewish holy site. Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of the Hamas political bureau, told Al-Jazeera TV, “We are ready to do whatever is necessary for the dignity and freedom of our people.”
In memory of the countless young people tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists, let the world know.
This music festival was a symbol of love and freedom until it was disrupted by Hamas infiltrators in Israel, taking hundreds of innocent lives. pic.twitter.com/hw7SM88kxA
— Sacha Roytman (@SachaRoytman) October 8, 2023
Hamas soldiers paraglided into a rave while everyone stands by wondering what is happening, moments before they open fire.
More than 260 bodies found at the music festival after Hamas attack.
Israel has not released an official toll but its media said at least 700 people were… pic.twitter.com/fDLF8qKzJn— ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) October 8, 2023
