Hamas

Historical eventOctober 72023

Hamas

Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups launch an attack into Israel, which results in the deaths of around 1,200, mostly civilians, and the taking of 251 hostages, including civilians and soldiers.

Everything on October 7Original source

In context

When
Saturday, October 7 20233 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2020s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 2023.

What came beforeAI-assisted

Hamas was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, an uprising against Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The organization emerged from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, combining Palestinian nationalism with Islamist ideology.

By the early 2000s, Hamas had established itself as both a political party and armed resistance movement, running schools, hospitals, and social services in Gaza and the West Bank. It won Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, leading to its takeover of Gaza in 2007 after conflict with the rival Fatah faction.

Catalyst / how it startedAI-assisted

The October 7, 2023 attack was launched by Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, against Israel. The assault killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in the capture of hostages, triggering a major military response.

Who was involvedAI-assisted

Hamas leadership included political chief Ismail Haniyeh and military commander Mohammed Deif. Other Palestinian armed groups, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, also participated in the October 7 operations.

Israel's government, military, and security forces responded to the attack. International actors including the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and various UN bodies became involved in subsequent negotiations and humanitarian efforts.

TimelineAI-assisted

October 7, 2023: Hamas launched coordinated attacks on Israel, breaching the border and attacking military bases and civilian areas. Israel declared war and began military operations in Gaza.

2024–2025: Ongoing conflict, humanitarian crisis, and ceasefire negotiations involving mediators including Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Multiple rounds of talks occurred with varying degrees of progress.

July 2026: Hamas announced the resignation of its civilian administration as part of a Gaza peace plan, with US President Donald Trump announcing an agreement to disarm the organization.

What happened

The Islamic Resistance Movement, abbreviated Hamas, is a Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist political organisation with a military wing known as the al-Qassam Brigades. It has governed the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip since 2007. In July 2026, it announced the resignation of its civilian administration under the Gaza peace plan and US President Donald Trump announced that his Board of Peace had reached an agreement to disarm Hamas.

October 7 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 2002Space Shuttle Atlantis
  2. 20042004 Sinai bombings
  3. 2006Anna Politkovskaya
  4. 2008Qantas Flight 72
  5. 20082008 TC3
  6. 2016Hurricane Matthew
  7. 2022Ales Bialiatski
  8. 2022Creeslough explosion
  9. 2023Al-Qassam Brigades
  10. 2023Palestinian nationalism
  11. 2023Hamas

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Everything we record for 2023 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Hamas”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/hamas-2023-october-7, accessed October 24, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Hamas happen?

October 7 2023 — 3 years ago, on a Saturday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints. Panels marked AI-assisted were filled where the sources left a heading empty.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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