Israel attacked by Hamas live updates: Israeli forces clash with Hamas gunmen after surprise attack leaves over 500 dead

Smoke billows over the Gaza City on October 7, 2023 during Israeli air strike.
AFP via Getty Images

Most of the world reacted with outrage to the deadly surprise attack on Israel by the Islamist militant group Hamas on Saturday, as Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war.

Terrifying scenes have begun to emerge from the conflict, with one video – which has been verified by CNN – showing a woman being shoved into the backseat of a Jeep by Hamas militants with her hands zip-tied and arms bleeding.

Scores of Israelis have been injured in the fighting and over 250 were killed.

The attack on Israel was timed to a major celebratory Jewish holiday, Sichat Torah, and came on the 50th anniversary of the 1973 War in which Arab states bombed the country on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. 

Worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here

2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip over three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.

2006: Terrorist group Hamas wins a Palestinian legislative election.

2007: Hamas seizes control of Gaza in a civil war.

2008: Israel launches military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the town of Sderot.

2023: Hamas launches the biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.

Over 300 Israelis are dead and at least 1,500 injured with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli towns.

Hamas terrorists were seen taking female hostages and parading them down the street in horrifying videos.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and vowed Hamas would pay “a price it has never known.”

Gaza health officials report at least 230 Palestinians have been killed with over 1,700 injured.

The Israeli military mobilized tens of thousands of reservists and said fighter jets are carrying out air strikes on Hamas sites in Gaza, and that it has already hit 17 Hamas military compounds.