Armed Hamas militants attacked kibbutz Sufa on 7 October 2023, killing three civilians before IDF forces arrived and neutralized the assault.
Key Facts
- Date of attack
- 7 October 2023
- Hamas militants involved
- ~30
- Israeli civilians killed
- 3
- Hamas militants killed
- 20
- Hamas militants captured
- 10
- Duration of armed resistance
- ~6 hours
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 7 October 2023, Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades launched a broad, coordinated series of attacks on communities in the Gaza envelope as part of the wider October 7 attacks on Israel. Approximately 30 militants were dispatched toward kibbutz Sufa and a nearby military outpost as part of this offensive.
Around 7:30 a.m., Hamas militants on motorbikes opened fire indiscriminately on people in the streets before breaching the kibbutz gates. They then conducted door-to-door shootings inside Sufa. Six armed kibbutz residents mounted a defence lasting roughly six hours until the IDF arrived and secured the area.
Three Israeli civilians were killed during the attack. Israeli security forces killed 20 Hamas militants and captured 10 others. The defence by armed residents helped limit casualties until IDF reinforcements could respond to the incursion.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent