Kfar Aza massacre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kfar Aza attack |
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| Part of the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel | |
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A home in Kfar Aza after the attack
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 Kfar Aza
Location in Israel
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| Location | Kfar Aza, Southern District, Israel |
| Coordinates | 31°29′1″N 34°32′2″E / 31.48361°N 34.53389°E |
| Date | 7 October 2023 |
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Attack type
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Mass shooting, mass murder |
| Deaths | 52 confirmed deaths; 20+ missing |
| Assailant |
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On October 7, 2023, a group of about 70 fighters from Hamas attacked Kfar Aza. This is a small community called a kibbutz, located about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the Gaza Strip. During the attack, many residents were killed, and some people were taken as hostages.
Before the attack, Kfar Aza had over 700 residents. It took the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) two days to fully take back control of the area. As of October 15, 52 people were confirmed to have died. More than 20 others were reported missing.
Contents
The Attack on Kfar Aza
Before the attack, Kfar Aza had about 400 residents. On the morning of October 7, 2023, about 70 Hamas fighters broke through a fence. They entered the kibbutz, which is very close to Gaza. The fighters then began to attack the residents.
They first targeted the west side of the community. This area was closest to Gaza and had families with young children. In total, 52 people in the kibbutz are known to have been killed.
Community Defense Efforts
Some residents of the kibbutz had military training. They formed a volunteer armed guard. These volunteers bravely fought against the attackers. They tried to defend their community.
However, the Hamas fighters spread their attack. They moved in all four directions across the kibbutz. They set fire to houses and killed many civilian residents.
Taking Hostages
The attackers also took people from the kibbutz as hostages. The Associated Press confirmed that four hostages were taken on October 7. The fighters took women, children, and older people. They brought these hostages back to Gaza.
It took the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) two and a half days to fully regain control. Soldiers from Unit 71 led the effort to retake the area. The Duvdevan Unit also helped respond to the attack. Another group, the DFLP, also said its fighters were involved.
Impact of the Attack
According to BBC News, most of the people who died were killed in the first few hours of the attack.
Aftermath and Protests
One week after the attack, on October 14, a survivor of the Kfar Aza attack held a vigil. This vigil grew into a protest with hundreds of people. They called for the return of 17 Kfar Aza residents. These people had been taken hostage by Hamas. Another protest by survivors took place on October 26.
Ziv Stahl, a survivor and leader of a human rights group, spoke out. He argued against calls for revenge. He said that bombing Gaza and harming civilians was not a solution.
Visiting the Site
Israeli Major General Itai Veruv described the attack as a terror attack. Hamas also released videos of the attack. Journalists were allowed to visit the site on October 10, 2023. Later, in December 2023, actress Debra Messing and journalist Douglas Murray visited the site. They also met with survivors.
Kfar Aza has become a place that many people visit. Military ceremonies and tourists come to see the site. However, one resident shared concerns about this. She said that items were being taken from homes. She also noted that some visitors were not respecting the area. She once found two IDF soldiers taking selfies in her home. Many homes now have large banners. These banners show the names and pictures of the residents. They also state their status after the attacks.
See also
- List of engagements during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
- Outline of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
- Disinformation in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war
- Palestinian political violence
- Moshe Dayan's eulogy for Ro'i Rothberg
