A year of Israeli genocide in Gaza - What happened on October 7?

The Israeli genocide in Gaza marks a year today, with hardly a day passing where the occupation army spared innocent Palestinian civilians from horrific airstrikes on their homes, schools, hospitals, and refugee camps, razing the entire territory to the ground.

Here’s a look back at October 7, the day that unleashed devastation on Gaza, serving as a pretext for Israel to justify its genocide against the Palestinian people.

What is the Gaza Strip?

The Gaza Strip is home to 2.3 million people and spans 365 square kilometers (141 square miles), making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world.

For the past 16 years, Palestinians have lived under an Israeli-imposed siege, often described as the world’s largest open-air prison. The blockade began in 2007, when Hamas took control of Gaza after winning elections.

This siege subjected Palestinians to severe restrictions. They were not permitted to cross the borders between Israel and Egypt, leading to crippling economic conditions, with business and employment opportunities at an all-time low. The health and education sectors also suffered heavily due to these restrictions.

Experts continuously warned of the deteriorating situation in Gaza, cautioning that it could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe.

Why did Hamas attack Israel on October 7?

The co-founder of "We Are Not Numbers" told Al Jazeera that over 60% of Gaza's population comprises refugees, who were displaced from their lands and properties, now located on the Israeli side of the border.

In 2018-2019, during the Great March of Return, thousands of Palestinians organised peaceful demonstrations against the Israeli occupation. However, the Israeli army responded with force, dispersing and shooting protestors.

“There was a consensus that action needed to be taken," Dr Basim Naim, a member of Hamas Political Bureau told Al Jazeera.

"If we don’t act now, Palestine will be forgotten, deleted from the international map," he added.

Hamas aimed to retaliate against Israeli occupation by capturing military personnel and civilians to exert pressure. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers continued their daily routines, living on lands taken from Palestinians, with little concern for those trapped behind Gaza’s borders.

Some analysts believe the Israeli military underestimated Hamas’ capabilities. Despite having intelligence on Hamas' preparations for an attack and possessing detailed invasion plans, Israeli forces reportedly dismissed the threat.

What happened on October 7?

Just a few minutes before 7am, Hamas fighters breached the high-tech barrier separating Gaza from Israel, launching the largest coordinated attack in Israel’s history. They quickly overran Israeli military bases and moved into civilian communities, including Kibbutz Be'eri.

Eyewitnesses, fighters, and media investigations confirmed that the Israeli army was unprepared, taking six to eight hours to respond to the assault.

This delayed reaction allowed the situation to spiral out of control. When Israeli forces eventually mobilised, they responded with overwhelming force, launching airstrikes, deploying ground troops, and moving tanks.

However, in the chaos, Israeli forces also indiscriminately targeted their own civilians in an attempt to eliminate Hamas fighters.

Around 1,300 Israeli civilians were killed, and dozens were taken hostage, presumably to be used in prisoner exchange negotiations with Israel.

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Israeli soldiers intentionally targeted their own people under orders from senior command, citing the controversial "Hannibal Directive."

Independent investigations and accounts from both Israeli soldiers and civilians disclosed that a significant number of Israeli casualties took place, as the army targeted its own citizens, suspecting them to be Hamas fighters.

What happened at the Supernova music festival?

When Hamas fighters reached the Supernova music festival near the Gaza border, video evidence captured from an Apache combat helicopter showed the Israeli forces indiscriminately firing on both civilians and fighters.

The reckless and excessive use of force by the Israeli military escalated the chaos, creating a scene of carnage that set the stage for Israel's subsequent offensive in Gaza.

Rather than investigating the events of October 7, the Israeli government justified its military actions, claiming that Hamas's attack, armed with only limited weaponry, warranted a response. This narrative has been used to justify Israeli genocide in Gaza.

The global reaction:

Despite the devastating impact on Palestinian men, women, and children resisting occupation, many Western nations have thrown their support behind Israel, showing little outrage for the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza.

The Israeli army has intensified its attacks on the enclave despite the orders of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to cease military operations in the Gaza Strip.

Israel simultaneously imposed an aid blockade on the starving Palestinians.

The overall Palestinian death toll since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza has reached at least 42,612 with more than 97,166 wounded. Thousands more remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.