The Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing mayhem-Current timelines as of 10/18/2023 –
- October 7, 2023: Hamas launches a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza, using drones, explosives, tractors, motorcycles, and paragliders. The attack kills more than 800 Israelis and injures thousands more. Hamas also takes more than 150 hostages back to Gaza. Israel responds with airstrikes and artillery fire on Gaza, killing more than 500 Palestinians and injuring hundreds more. Israel also imposes a total blockade on Gaza, cutting off its access to food, fuel, water, and medicine
- October 8, 2023: Israel mobilizes its reserves and prepares for a ground invasion of Gaza. Hamas warns that it has more surprises in store and threatens to execute the hostages if Israel does not stop its attacks. The UN Security Council holds an emergency meeting and calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages. The US vetoes a resolution that condemns Israel’s actions and demands an end to the blockade124.
- October 9, 2023: Hamas releases a video showing some of the hostages being tortured and killed. Israel vows to continue its operation until it destroys Hamas and rescues the hostages. Hamas fires more rockets at Israeli cities, killing dozens of civilians. Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza, targeting Hamas leaders, infrastructure, and weapons. The death toll rises to over 2,000 on both sides.
- October 10, 2023: Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza, sending thousands of troops and tanks into the coastal enclave. Hamas puts up fierce resistance, using tunnels, booby traps, snipers, and suicide bombers. The fighting is fierce and bloody, with heavy casualties on both sides. The humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, as hospitals run out of supplies and power. The international community urges both sides to stop the violence and respect human rights124.
- October 11, 2023: Israel announces that it has killed the top Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an airstrike on his bunker in Gaza City. Hamas confirms his death and vows to avenge him. Hamas also claims that it has shot down an Israeli fighter jet and captured its pilot. Israel denies this and says that all its pilots are accounted for. The UN Secretary-General calls for an urgent summit to end the crisis and prevent further escalation.
- October 12, 2023: Israel announces that it has captured a senior Hamas commander, Mahmoud al-Zahar, in a raid on his hideout in Gaza. Israel says that al-Zahar was responsible for planning and executing the attack on October 7, and that he has provided valuable information on Hamas’s operations and whereabouts of the hostages. Hamas denies that al-Zahar was captured and accuses Israel of spreading lies1. The UN Security Council holds another emergency meeting and adopts a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of the hostages, and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. The resolution also authorizes the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the ceasefire. The US abstains from voting, while Russia, China, France, and Britain vote in favor
- October 13, 2023: Hamas rejects the UN resolution and says that it will continue to fight until Israel ends its occupation and aggression. Hamas also releases another video showing more hostages being executed. Israel also rejects the UN resolution and says that it will not stop its operation until it rescues the hostages and eliminates Hamas. Israel also releases a video showing al-Zahar confessing to his role in the attack and revealing Hamas’s secrets. The UN Secretary-General appeals to both sides to respect the resolution and end the bloodshed3. The death toll rises to over 4,000 on both sides
- October 14, 2023: The UN peacekeeping force arrives in the region and sets up its headquarters in Cairo. The force consists of 10,000 troops from various countries, led by a Norwegian general. The force tries to establish contact with both sides and negotiate a ceasefire, but faces difficulties and delays due to the ongoing hostilities and mistrust5. The humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates further, as more than half of the population lacks access to clean water, electricity, food, and medicine. The UN relief agencies warn of a looming famine and epidemic in Gaza.
- October 15, 2023: A breakthrough occurs when Egypt offers to mediate between Israel and Hamas, using its contacts and influence with both parties. Egypt proposes a three-stage plan for ending the crisis: first, a 72-hour humanitarian truce to allow aid and evacuation of wounded; second, a prisoner exchange involving the hostages and Hamas fighters; third, a long-term ceasefire based on the 2014 agreement that ended the previous Gaza war. Both Israel and Hamas agree to consider the Egyptian proposal and enter into indirect talks through Egyptian intermediaries. The UN peacekeeping force supports the Egyptian initiative and prepares to deploy to Gaza once a truce is reached.
- October 16, 2023: The Egyptian-mediated talks between Israel and Hamas break down, as both sides accuse each other of violating the 72-hour humanitarian truce. Hamas resumes its rocket attacks on Israel, while Israel resumes its airstrikes and ground offensive on Gaza. The UN peacekeeping force tries to intervene and prevent further escalation, but faces resistance and hostility from both sides. The death toll rises to over 6,000 on both sides12.
- October 17, 2023: A major explosion rocks the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, killing more than 300 people and injuring thousands more. Hamas claims responsibility for the attack, saying that it used a tunnel to smuggle a large amount of explosives into the city. Israel vows to retaliate and intensify its operation in Gaza. The UN Security Council condemns the attack and calls for an immediate end to the violence. The US announces that it is sending a special envoy to the region to try to broker a ceasefire
- October 18, 2023: Israel announces that it has rescued most of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, after a daring raid by its elite commandos. Israel says that it killed or captured several Hamas leaders and fighters in the process, and that it recovered some of the bodies of its fallen soldiers. Hamas denies that Israel rescued the hostages, and says that it still holds some of them as bargaining chips. The UN Secretary-General welcomes the news and urges both sides to seize the opportunity to end the crisis.
