October 7
Hamas began Operation Al-Aqsa Flood entering Israeli settlements and Occupied towns and villages near the Gaza border through a hole in the Gaza fence and by air, using improvised paramotoring gliders, attacking Israeli military equipment with explosive drones, and firing thousands of rockets. Palestinian fighters took control of at least 14 Israeli bases, police stations, and towns in addition to the Bayt Hanun (Erez) Crossing and bulldozing parts of the Gaza fence. More than 100 Israeli settlers and soldiers were captured and brought to Gaza as hostages, as were dozens of Israeli military vehicles. After the launch of the operation, Israeli forces began fighting militants in the area near the Gaza fence and conducted airstrikes, killing more than 198 Palestinians and injuring 1,610 as of 6pm. Israeli airstrikes targeted the Indonesian hospital and destroyed the second largest office and residential building in Gaza, Palestine Tower, among many other residential buildings. Israel said that at least 70 Israelis had been killed and more than 986 wounded as of 5.30pm. 20,000 Palestinains were internally displaced sheltering in UNRWA schools and emergency shelters. Israel dubbed its attacks on Gaza as Operation Swords of Iron. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Yasuf, injuring 32 Palestinians, including 6 with live ammunition and 1 in a stabbing, and set fire to 3 homes. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Aqraba, Qasra, Tuqu’, Khirbet Makhoul, and Huwwara, injuring 6, including at least 1 with live ammunition. In Bayt Umar, Dayr Sharaf, Hebron, Qalqilya, Jericho, and al-Bireh, Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinian protesters, including one 13-year old, andwounded 92 others including 30 with live ammunition . In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shu’fat, Isawiya, Silwan, and Mount of Olives, injuring 1 with a baton round and others with tear-gas.. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, WAFA 10/8; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AP 10/10)
__
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said that Hamas had warned Israel about desecrating al-Aqsa Mosque, continued settlement expansion, and raids on Palestinian cities and towns, but that Israel had ignored its warnings. Haniyeh further stated: “Israel could have silenced us by giving us crumbs, but the government turned its back on any possibility of a prisoner exchange, and continued the siege of the strip.” Islamic Jihad spokesperson Dauod Shihab said Israeli hostages would only be released in a prisoner exchange, saying the organization had taken women and children captive because Israel does the same with Palestinians. PA President Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement, saying he had directed PA forces to “protect Palestinians everywhere,” and that the “Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves from any aggression by settlers and the Israeli occupation forces.” All Palestinian factions called for a general strike in the West Bank over the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 10/7; WAFA 10/8)
__
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Israel is at war. This is not a so-called military operation, not another round of fighting, but war.” Further stating that Israel will “purge the area [around Gaza] of enemy forces” and then “exact a huge price from the enemy, also in the Gaza Strip.” Netanyahu also spoke with Israeli opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid about forming an emergency unity government. Lapid said he would only join the government if Netanyahu fired National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Israel also called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for a potential ground invasion. Israeli energy minister Yisrael Katz signed an order to disconnect Gaza from the Israeli power grid, effectively cutting electricity from the Strip. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 10/7; HA 10/8)
__
U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Biden condemned Hamas in a speech, calling their operation “unconscionable.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to PA president Mahmoud Abbas, calling on him to condemn the Hamas operation. Abbas also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. (HA, HA, WAFA 10/7; HA 10/8)
__
The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said Israel had imposed punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners, including placing sections of prisons on lockdown, seizing televisions, increasing jamming devices, stopping family and lawyer visits. (WAFA 10/8)
__
Israel closed all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza and shut several checkpoints in the West Bank. (WAFA 10/7; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8)
__
Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for an immediate ceasefire. (WAFA 10/7)
October 8
In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian vehicles south of Ariha (Jericho). Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinian homes in Jalbun; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 5 Palestinian protesters in al-Khalil (Hebron), Ramallah, Ariha (Jericho), and Beita. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqraba, al-Bireh, Ramallah, Tuqu’, Huwwara, Qalqilya, al-Ram and al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 9 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, killing 4 and injuring 9. In Gaza, Israeli forces continued bombing civilian targets, in some instances without prior warning, killing at least 200. Palestinian fighters fired rockets at Israel and attacked settlers near the Gaza fence, inflicting hundreds of casualties. Near Gaza, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Israeli citizen and shot and injured 4 Israeli soldiers and 1 Israeli citizen mistaking them for Palestinians. Israeli forces also killed dozens of Palestinian militants trying to enter Israel by sea. Hamas said it had fighters in the Israeli Occupied towns and settlements of Ofakim, Sderot, Yad Modechai, Kfar Aza, Kibbutz Be’eri, Yeted, and Kissufim. In Safad, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 11 Palestinian workers from Gaza before dropping them off in the West Bank at the Jalama checkpoint. In Lebanon, Israeli forces opened fire at what Israel described as a Hezbollah tent and fired artillery shells towards Lebanon after mortar shells were fired at Israel. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8; AJ, HA, WAFA 10/9)
__
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that as of 8pm at least 413 Palestinians had been killed and 2,300 injured in Gaza while 15 Palestinians had been killed and 191 injured in the West Bank since 10/7. Israeli sources reported more than 677 Israelis fatalities, including foreign nationals and 2,000 injuries. The UN reported that more than 123,538 Palestinians were displaced, including 73,538 sheltering in UNRWA facilities. 159 housing units were destroyed and 1,210 were damaged since 10/7. Israel cut off water supplies, affecting 610,000 Palestinians. An Naseer Hospital, Al Quds Hospital, and 2 Palestinian Red Crescent Society facilities were targeted by Israeli airstrikes overnight. 3 UNRWA schools sheltering displaced Palestinians were damaged in Israeli airstrikes, raising the number of targeted schools to 4. Egypt allowed 100 truckloads of food, 30 truckloads of fuel, and 70 truckloads of construction material to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8; UNOCHA 10/9)
__
In Egypt, an Egyptian police officer shot and killed 2 Israelis and 1 Egyptian at a tourist site in Alexandria. (AJ, AP, HA 10/8)
__
Israel claimed that 260 Israelis were killed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants at a rave party near Gaza on 10/7. (AJ, HA 10/8; REU 10/10)
__
Israel ordered the evacuation of Israeli towns near Gaza, reportedly in preparation for a ground invasion of Gaza. (AJ 10/8; HA 10/10)
__
A Hamas official said the group was holding more than 100 Israelis captive in Gaza. Islamic Jihad said it was holding 30 Israelis captive in Gaza and that they would not be released unless exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had reached out to Egypt to facilitate help with hostage negotiations. (HA, HA, WSJ 10/8)
__
PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said messages from the international community asserting Israel’s “right to defend itself will be interpreted by Israel as a license to kill.” The PA requested an emergency meeting at the Arab League. (HA 10/8; WAFA 10/9)
__
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8)
__
The Israeli security cabinet decided to halt all electricity, fuel, and goods from entering Gaza and to destroy Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities. (HA 10/7; AJ 10/8)
__
The U.S. state department said that at least 4 U.S. citizens were killed in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on 10/7. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to his counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE for the second day in a row. Blinken said he spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan about not allowing the war to disrupt Saudi-Israel normalization efforts. The U.S. also directed the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide Israel with U.S. support. U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time in 2 days. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA 10/8; AP, HA, REU 10/9; ALM, AP 10/10)
__
The UAE called on both sides to protect civilians and called the Hamas abduction of civilians “appalling.” (AJ, HA, REU, UAE 10/8)
__
Iran denied Wall Street Journal reporting, saying that it was not involved in Hamas’ operation but said “[w]e emphatically stand in unflinching support of Palestine.” (HA 10/8; AJ 10/8)
October 9
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Duma, setting cars on fire and attacking Palestinians; Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli settlers also set fire to a tent near Kisan. The Palestinian couple who owned the tent were later reported missing. Elsewhere, an Israeli settler attempted to ram into Palestinians on a street in Tuqu’. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Ariha (Jericho), causing damage. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian who allegedly attempted to ram into soldiers at a checkpoint in al-Khalil (Hebron), using a tractor. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 1 other with live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, killing 1, injuring 5 with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 with live ammunition and injured 12 others with tear gas in Einabus. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Jalama checkpoint, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 3 with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Beit Furik, causing tear-gas related injuries. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, al-Khalil (Hebron), Tulkarm, Nablus, Salfit, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Isawiya, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed nearly 200 Palestinians and caused widespread destruction. Near Gaza, Palestinian militants attacked Kibbutz Sa’ad and Kibbutz Be’eri, no injuries were reported. Hamas fired rockets towards Jerusalem, hitting targets around the city and in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, saying it was retaliation for Israeli attacks on civilian targets. Mortar shells were fired from Lebanon towards Israel, no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had killed 3 crossing the border from Lebanon; Hezbollah denied having an active operation into Israel. Islamic Jihad later claimed responsibility. Israel later fired artillery at Marwahin and used combat helicopters to attack southern Lebanon, killing 5 members of Hezbollah. 1 Israeli soldier was killed and 5 injured by forces in Lebanon. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/10)
__
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that as of 9:30pm at least 687 Palestinians had been killed and 3,800 injured in Gaza while 17 Palestinians, including 4 children had been killed and 295 injured in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. Israeli media reported more than 900 Israelis fatalities, including foreign nationals and 2,616 injuries. Israel said it had hit 500 targets in Gaza overnight and 1,100 since 10/7. Hamas said Israeli airstrikes had killed 4 Israeli captives in Gaza. The UN reported that more than 187,518 Palestinians were displaced, including 137,427 sheltering in UNRWA facilities. 790 housing units were destroyed and 5,330 were damaged since 10/7. (AJ, ALM, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; ALM, AP 10/10)
__
Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubaida said the Qassam Brigades would not negotiate releasing captives while Gaza was being bombarded. Earlier in the day, Abu Ubaida said Qassam Brigades would begin executing 1 Israeli captive each time Israel bombs a civilian target. There was no indication that the threat was carried out as civilian buildings were being bombed by Israel. Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera that Hamas is open to discussing a truce and all political dialogue. Hamas leader Ali Barakeh said only half a dozen members of Hamas planned the attack on Israel on 10/7 and none of its allies were informed but that Hezbollah and Iran would join the battle if “Gaza is subject to a war of annihilation.” (AJ, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ, AP 10/10)
__
PA President Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Hamas-Israeli war. In a statement, bin Salman’s office said Saudi Arabia “continues to stand with the Palestinian people in their pursuit for their legitimate rights, striving for a dignified life, realizing their hopes and aspirations, and achieving a just and lasting peace.” (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9)
__
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said Israel had regained control in all communities surrounding Gaza but that Palestinian militants still could be in the area. (HA 10/9)
__
Reuters reported that Qatar was mediating a prisoner exchange that will see Israeli women and children released by Hamas in exchange for the release of 36 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. Egyptian sources also said that Egypt was in close contact with Israel and Hamas to prevent further escalation, calling on Israel to exercise restraint and Hamas to keep the captives in good condition. (HA, REU, REU 10/9)
__
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said that he had ordered that no power, water, food, or gas enters Gaza, saying “[w]e are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.” His office later said Gallant had ordered the intensity of the Gaza bombings to increase. Several Israeli politicians called on the formation of an emergency unity government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who said the emergency government should “bring about the complete elimination of Hamas and the terrorist organizations in Gaza.” Benny Gantz’s National Unity party demanded that Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir would not be part of the war cabinet and that no legislation unrelated to the war would be promoted. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 10/9; AP 10/10)
__
Axios reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu told U.S.President Joe Biden that Israel will invade Gaza, and the Washington Post reported that the U.S. is preparing for a prolonged war in Gaza assessing Israeli diplomatic, political, and military needs. The White House briefed members of Congress that Israel will need replenishment for the Iron Dome, ammunition rounds, precision-guided missiles, and small-diameter bombs. Biden said in a briefing that 11 U.S. citizens had been killed by Hamas and that there likely are U.S. captives being held in Gaza. The U.S. also said Iran was complicit in the Hamas attack and warned Iran about getting involved in the fighting. Iran denied involvement or knowledge. (ALM, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/9; HA, REU, REU 10/10)
__
Egyptian officials said they had warned Israel about an imminent attack from Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office denied having received warnings. (HA 10/9)
__
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke to Israeli president Isaac Herzog urging him to end indiscriminately attacking Gaza. (AJ, ALM 10/9)
__
The UN Security Council convened a meeting on the situation in Gaza without releasing a statement. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and said 137,000 Palestinians were sheltering in UNRWA facilities. Guterres also said he was deeply distressed by Israel’s decision to cut off all power, food, and gas from entering Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; AJ, HA 10/10)
__
U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken deleted a tweet on X, in which he said he “encouraged Turkey’s advocacy for a cease-fire.” The tweet was replaced by language that supported Israel’s “right to defend itself.” (HA 10/9)
__
Hungary, Bulgaria, and Poland evacuated hundreds of their own citizens and European and Israeli nationals from Israel. (HA, HA 10/9)
__
The U.S., Germany, the UK, France, and Italy issued a joint statement of support for Israel, saying the countries are coordinating to “ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region.” (AP, REU 10/9; HA, HA 10/10)
__
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned violence against Palestinians and Israelis and criticized the U.S. for its “destructive policy” of undermining the Quartet by monopolizing Israeli-Palestinian dialogue during a press conference with Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Abdoul Gheit. (REU, WAFA 10/9)
__
The EU, Germany, and Austria said they suspended all aid to Palestinians in response to Hamas’ operation against Israel. None of the aid in question is delivered to Hamas. Later EU countries, including Ireland, France, Spain, and Luxembourg objected to the EU Commission's decision and the EU Crisis Management commissioner Janez Lanercic said the EU aid would continue. (AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AJ 10/10)
__
The Bank of Israel said it will sell $30 billion of foreign currency to maintain the Shekel’s stability in light of the war with Hamas. The Shekel had lost 10% of its value compared to the Dollar in 2023 before the war. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 10/9)
