This is a list of notable engagements during the Gaza war, encompassing land, naval, and air engagements, covering events which took place or began during the October 7 attack and immediately afterwards, including Israel's declaration of war on 8 October, the imposition of the 2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, and active operations in the Gaza Strip. It also covers other engagements in and around Israel directly related to its conflict in Gaza, including Israel's operations in occupied West Bank and southern Syria, support for Palestinian militiants from Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon, and intensified attacks on commercial vehicles by Houthi movement in the Red Sea.
Name | Location | Start date | End date | Primary opponents | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 7 attacks | Gaza Envelope, Southern District, Israel | October 7, 2023 | October 8, 2023 | ![]() | Hamas tactical victory [4]
|
Israel-Hezbollah conflict | Israel, Lebanon and Syria | 8 October 2023 | Allies: | Ongoing | |
Israeli incursions in the West Bank | Israeli-occupied West Bank with spillover into Israel [13] | 11 October 2023 | Ongoing | ||
![]() | |||||
Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip | Gaza Strip with spillover into Israel [14] | 27 October 2023 [a] | 19 January 2025 [15] | ![]() | Ongoing
|
18 March 2025 | |||||
Red Sea crisis | Red Sea, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden (esp. Bab-el-Mandeb), Arabian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, [c] Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Yemen | 19 October 2023 | ![]() | Ongoing
| |
Israeli invasion of Syria | Syria | 8 December 2024 |
| Ongoing
|
Early in the morning of 7 October 2023, approximately 3000 militants, [37] [38] from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the PFLP, and DFLP, [39] breached the Gaza fence and attacked multiple locations in Southern Israel. [37] [38] After the IDF repelled most of the attacks, the militiants retreated back into Gaza Strip with multiple hostages captured.
Attack | Location | Deaths | Hostages |
---|---|---|---|
Re'im music festival massacre | ![]() | 364 [40] [41] | 40 [42] |
Be'eri massacre | ![]() | 132 [43] | 32 [43] |
Nahal Oz attack | ![]() | 81 [44] | 14 [44] |
Kfar Aza massacre | ![]() | 52 [45] [46] | 17 |
Zikim attack | ![]() | 34 [47] | 0 |
Nir Oz massacre | ![]() | 52 [48] | 76 [48] |
Netiv HaAsara massacre | ![]() | 22 [49] [50] | 0 |
Alumim massacre | ![]() | 22 [51] [52] | 2-4 [53] [54] |
Kissufim massacre | ![]() | 48 [55] | 4 |
Holit attack | ![]() | 15 [56] | 7 |
Nirim attack | ![]() | 9 [57] [58] | 5 [57] |
Nir Yitzhak attack | ![]() | 8 [59] | 7 |
Total | 1,180 | 251 | |
Engagement | Location | Start date | End date | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nahal Oz attack | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 7 October 2023 | Attack repelled [60] [61] |
Battle of Re'im | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 7 October 2023 | Attack repelled [62] |
Battle of Sufa | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 8 October 2023 | Attack repelled [63] |
Zikim attack | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 7 October 2023 [a] | Attack repelled [64] [65] |
Battle of Ofakim | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 9 October 2023 | Attack repelled [66] |
Battle of Sderot | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | 8 October 2023 | Israeli victory [67] |
After the attack carried out by Hamas militiants, Israeli government declared war to Hamas and began preparing its counter-attack, which began on 27 October. [68] Prior to that, the IDF launched a series of airstrikes throughout the territory and blockaded it, leaving no electricity or supply delivery tracks. [69] [70]
Campaign | Location | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|---|
Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip | ![]() | 7 October 2023 | Ongoing |
Refugee camp airstrikes | ![]() | 9 October 2023 | Ongoing |
Attacks on schools in Gaza | ![]() | 17 October 2023 | Ongoing |
Insurgency in the North Gaza Strip | ![]() | 7 January 2024 [71] [72] | 19 January 2025 [15] |
Name | Location | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|---|
Battle of Beit Hanoun | ![]() | 28 October 2023 | 31 May 2024 [73] [74] |
Clashes in Netzarim Corridor | ![]() ![]() | 30 October 2023 [75] | 9 February 2025 [76] [77] |
18 March 2025 | Ongoing | ||
Siege of Gaza City | ![]() | 2 November 2023 [78] | 19 January 2025 [15] |
Al-Shifa Hospital siege | 11 November 2023 [79] | 24 November 2023 [80] | |
18 March 2024 [81] | 1 April 2024 [82] | ||
Battle of Jabalia | ![]() | 8 November 2023 | 31 May 2024 |
Battle of Shuja'iyya | ![]() | 8 December 2023 | 26 December 2023 |
Shuja'iyya incursion | 28 June 2024 | 10 July 2024 | |
2025 Shuja'iyya offensive | 4 April 2025 [83] | Ongoing | |
Siege of Khan Yunis | ![]() | 1 December 2023 | 7 April 2024 |
First Khan Yunis incursion | 22 July 2024 | 30 July 2024 | |
Second Khan Yunis incursion | 9 August 2024 | 30 August 2024 | |
Third Khan Yunis incursion | 26 May 2025 | Ongoing | |
Siege of Al-Qarara | ![]() | 6 December 2023 | 7 April 2024 |
Hamad City incursion | ![]() | 4 March 2024 | 16 March 2024 |
Rafah offensive | ![]() | 13 February 2024 [84] | 31 January 2025 [85] |
20 March 2025 [86] | 26 May 2025 | ||
Siege of North Gaza | ![]() | 5 October 2024 | 19 January 2025 [15] |
May 2025 Gaza offensive | ![]() | 16 May 2025 | Ongoing |
Alongside its invasion into Gaza Strip, Israel has carried out multiple attacks on the territory of Palestinian West Bank, which is partially occupied by the IDF. [138] [139] The goal stated by Israel was to eliminate Hamas militiants which fled there from Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority, which has not proclaimed itself a supporter of the IDF, is also conducting operations against Hamas militias. [140] [141]
Name | Location | Start date | End date | Initiator |
---|---|---|---|---|
Israeli incursions in Tulkarm | ![]() | 10 March 2023 [b] | Ongoing | ![]() |
West Bank unrest | ![]() | 26 July 2024 | 31 July 2024 | ![]() |
2024 Israeli military operation in the West Bank | ![]() | 28 August 2024 | October 2024 | ![]() |
Raids in Tubas | ![]() | 8 October 2024 | November 2024 | ![]() |
Operation Protect the Homeland | ![]() | 5 December 2024 | 21 January 2025 [143] | ![]() |
2025 Israeli operation in Jenin | ![]() | 21 January 2025 [143] | Ongoing | ![]() |
Name | Location | Date | Attacker | Casualties |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lehi Street bombing | ![]() | 18 August 2024 | ![]() | 1 [144] |
Allenby Bridge shooting | ![]() ![]() | 8 September 2024 | ![]() | 4 [145] [146] |
2024 Jaffa shooting | ![]() | 1 October 2024 | ![]() | 9 [147] |
2024 Tulkarm Camp airstrike | ![]() | 3 October 2024 | ![]() | 20+ [148] |
2025 al-Funduq shooting | ![]() | 7 January 2025 | ![]() ![]() | 3 [149] |
Bat Yam bus bombings | ![]() | 20 February 2025 | ![]() | 0 [150] |
Lebanese militiant group Hezbollah started launching rockets into Northern Israel and Golan Heights on October 8, 2023 to support Palestinian forces against Israel. In response, Israel bombed Southern Lebanon, the region of highest Hezbollah presence, as well as engaged in clashes with militiants close to the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Campaign | Location | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|---|
Attacks on journalists | ![]() | 13 October 2023 | Ongoing |
Israeli invasion of Lebanon | ![]() | 1 October 2024 [151] | 27 November 2024 [152] |
Name | Date | Location | Attacker | Sources |
---|---|---|---|---|
Majdal Shams attack | 2 July 2024 | Majdal Shams, Golan Heights, Israel | [153] | |
Central Beirut medical center airstrike | 4 October 2024 | Beirut, Lebanon | ![]() | [154] |
Derdghaya Melkite Church airstrike | 9 October 2024 | Derdghaya, Lebanon | ![]() | [155] [156] |
Bachoura airstrike | 10 October 2024 | Bachoura, Lebanon | ![]() | [157] [158] [159] |
Binyamina strike | 13 October 2024 | Binyamina, Israel | [160] [161] | |
Aitou airstrike | 14 October 2024 | Aitou, Lebanon | ![]() | [162] |
Attack on Nabatieh municipal council | 16 October 2024 | Nabatieh, Lebanon | ![]() | [163] |
Drone attack on Benjamin Netanyahu's residence | 19 October 2024 | Caeserea, Israel | [164] | |
Sahel Alma airstrike | 19 October 2024 | Sahel Alma, Lebanon | ![]() | [165] |
Batroun operation | 2 November 2024 | Batroun, Lebanon | ![]() | [166] |
Target | Affiliation | Date | Location | Other deaths | Notes and Other Notable Casualties |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abbas Raad | | 22 November 2023 | ![]() | 4 | Raad was the son of Hezbollah MP Mohammad Raad. [167] |
Razi Mousavi | ![]() | 25 December 2023 | ![]() | 3 | Iranian general serving in the IRGC's Quds Force. [168] |
Saleh al-Arouri | ![]() | 2 January 2024 | ![]() | 6 | Al-Arouri was the deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, mostly operating in Lebanon. Also killed Hamas commander Azzam Al-Aqra. [169] [170] |
Sami Fendi | ![]() | ||||
Mushtaq Talib Al-Saeedi | | 4 January 2024 | ![]() | 1+ | Former senior commander of the 12th brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces. [171] |
Wissam al-Tawil | | 8 January 2024 | ![]() | 1 | Senior commander of Hezbollah's Redwan Force. [172] |
Ali Hussein Barji | 9 January 2024 | ![]() | 1 | Death denied by Hezbollah. [173] | |
Sadegh Omidzadeh | ![]() | 20 January 2024 | ![]() | 10 | Also killed four other Iranian officials, Ali Aghazadeh, Saeed Karimi, Hossein Mohammadi and Mohammad Amin Samadi. [174] |
Fadi Suleiman | 21 January 2024 | ![]() | 3 | Survived; other Hezbollah affiliates killed. [175] | |
Abu Baker al-Saadi | Kata'ib Hezbollah | 7 February 2024 | ![]() | 3 | Commanders of Kata'ib Hezbollah. Perpetrated by the United States in response to the Tower 22 drone attack. [176] |
Arkan Al-Alawi | |||||
Abbas al-Dabs | 8 February 2024 | ![]() | 2 | Hezbollah operative that worked with IRGC. [177] [178] | |
Basil Salah | ![]() | 10 February 2024 | ![]() | 3 | Survived; civilians and Hezbollah affiliates killed. [179] |
Hadi Ali Mustafa | ![]() | 13 March 2024 | ![]() | 2 | A member of Hamas' construction bureau. [180] |
Mohammad Reza Zahedi | ![]() | 1 April 2024 | ![]() | 6 | Iranian senior military officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed by Israel to be a primary communicator with Hezbollah. [181] |
Taleb Abdallah | 12 June 2024 | ![]() | 4 | Commander of the Nasr unit of Hezbollah. [182] | |
Mohammed Deif | ![]() | 13 July 2024 | ![]() | Deif was leading the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing that executed the October 7 attacks, while Salama was in charge of its Khan Yunis branch. Both of them were killed during heavy artillery strikes on Al-Mawasi. Their deaths were announced by the IDF shortly after the atack and denied by Hamas until January 2025. [183] [184] | |
Rafa Salama | |||||
Fuad Shukr | 30 July 2024 | ![]() | 3 | Senior Hezbollah member who was accused by Israel of being involved in the Majdal Shams attack. [185] [186] | |
Ismail Haniyeh | ![]() | 31 July 2024 | ![]() | 2 | Haynieh was the political leader of Hamas and one of the perpetrators of the October 7 attack. The airstrike also killed his bodyguard. [187] |
Ibrahim Aqil | | 20 September 2024 | ![]() | 55 | Commander-in-chief of the Redwan Force, Hezbollah's special operations unit. [188] |
Hassan Nasrallah | 27 September 2024 | ![]() | 33+ | Nasrallah was the Secretary-General of Hezbollah since 1992. Karaki was a Jihad Council member and Niforoushan was a commander of the Lebanese IRGC branch. [189] [190] | |
Ali Karaki | |||||
Abbas Niforoushan | ![]() | ||||
Hashem Safieddine | 3 October 2024 | ![]() | 26 | Safieddine was expected to become Hassan Nasrallah's successor as Secretary-General of Hezbollah. [191] | |
Yahya Sinwar | ![]() | 16 October 2024 | ![]() | 2 | Hamas leader and one of the main perpetrators of the October 7 attack. Killed in action while not being Israel's initial target. [192] |
Issam al-Da'alis | ![]() | 18 March 2025 | Unknown location, | Watfa, al-Da'alis and Sultan were high-ranked Hamas officials governing the Gaza Strip, while Hamza was the spokesperson for the PIJ. They were killed different locations during the first wave of Israel's surprise attacks on Gaza, along with other Hamas figures. [193] [194] Da'alis was previously claimed by Israel to have been assassinated on 23 July 2024, but Hamas denied the claim. | |
Mahmoud Abu Watfa | ![]() | ||||
Bahjat Abu Sultan | Unknown location, Gaza Strip | ||||
Abu Hamza | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Salah al-Bardawil | ![]() | 23 March 2025 | ![]() | 22 | Hamas' political bureau senior member and spokesperson. [195] |
Name | Date | Attacker | Weapons | Target |
---|---|---|---|---|
Operation True Promise I | 13–14 April 2024 | ![]() | Medium-range missiles | ![]() |
Israeli retaliation strikes | 19 April 2024 | ![]() | Drones | ![]() |
Operation True Promise II | 1 October 2024 | ![]() | Medium-range missiles | ![]() |
Operation Days of Repentance | 26 October 2024 | ![]() | Heavy munitions | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
On Oct. 7, Hamas militants surprised Israel and slaughtered 1,200 people while taking more than 200 as prisoners. It was an impressive tactical success for the group.
But this Hamas victory might prove Pyrrhic. In fact, Hamas itself might have been surprised by the extent of its initial success. The trauma in Israel today should give pause to those thinking that Israel will simply acquiesce to a short tit for tat.
Hamas's successful surprise attack on October 7, 2023, exactly 50 years after October 6, 1973, in the Yom Kippur War, has once again raised the question, in all seriousness, of why and how strategic surprises occur.
... the Israeli government and scholarly community are more than capable of identifying the errors of omission and commission that contributed to the operational and tactical success enjoyed by Hamas during the October 7 raid that killed about 1200 Israeli civilians and soldiers and enabled the taking of over 250 hostages.
Second, the Hamas attack on October 7 once again demonstrated how a determined non-state armed group can successfully confront a much stronger adversary, precisely because it is—and rightly so, according to objective criteria—considered to be an order of magnitude weaker.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas executed a devastating surprise attack that overwhelmed Israel's defenses, killed over 1,200 people, abducted 251, and shattered the nation's security assumptions in mere hours. This defeat—described by the Israeli military as a collapse of the Gaza Division—was not simply a tactical triumph but a strategic masterstroke enabled by profound Israeli intelligence and operational failures. A recent IDF investigation lays bare the systemic weaknesses that Hamas exploited.
The October 7 operation by Hamas ended up in defeat for the Israelis as a result of their misinterpretation of intelligence data.
Despite launching a successful surprise attack on 7 October, Hamas's capabilities are no match for the IDF.
The stunningly successful surprise attack launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel at the weekend has opened a dark new chapter in the years-long war between the Islamist militant group and its Israeli enemies.
The Israeli military on Thursday released the results of its first internal probe into the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, admitting to major failings in the defense of Kibbutz Beeri, a hard-hit town on the Gaza border ... Those questions include why military forces gathered at the gate of the kibbutz for hours without entering, the root causes of the intelligence failure that permitted Hamas's invasion and whether the soldiers who arrived understood that their primary objective was to protect civilians.
At 06:30 on the morning of 7 October 2023, Hamas launched more than 5,000 rockets reportedly fired towards Israel from multiple locations in Gaza, as well as ground operation into Israel.
{{cite magazine}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)… Israel Defense Forces battled Hamas militants to regain control of the city and its police station.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces, Khalil Hayya, head of Hamas in Gaza, has confirmed.