On Saturday, October 7, 2023, a group of Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on a music festival in Re’im, a rural town in southern Israel. The festival, called Supernova, was attended by thousands of people from Israel and abroad who came to enjoy the all-night party in the desert.
The militants infiltrated the festival grounds using paragliders, motorbikes and pick-up trucks, and opened fire indiscriminately at the unsuspecting crowd. They also planted explosives and fired rockets at nearby military bases and civilian areas.
The attack lasted for several hours, during which the militants shot and killed hundreds of people at point-blank range, then looted their belongings. Some of the victims were taken hostage and dragged to Gaza, where Hamas claimed to be holding more than 100 captives, including Israeli army officers.
The Israeli rescue services said they found at least 260 bodies near the site of the festival, making it one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Israel’s history. Many more were wounded or missing.
The aftermath
The attack triggered a declaration of war by Israel on Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. Israel launched a massive aerial and ground offensive against the militant group, targeting its leaders, infrastructure and weapons. More than 400 Palestinians have died in the Israeli strikes, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
The full scale of the Israeli response remains unclear, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has predicted a “long and difficult war,” and a military spokesperson hinted that the country may try to take full control of Gaza.
The international community has condemned the attack and called for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation and urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians.
The attack has also sparked outrage and grief among the families and friends of the victims, who have been sharing their stories and photos on social media. Some have also seen horrifying videos of the attack and the kidnappings, which have been circulating online.
The motive
Hamas said it carried out the attack as part of its “Operation Breaking Dawn,” which aimed to “liberate” Jerusalem and “avenge” the Palestinian people. The militant group accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and rights, and of oppressing and killing Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Hamas also said it targeted the music festival because it was a symbol of “immorality” and “corruption” that contradicted Islamic values. The group claimed that the festival was sponsored by “Zionist” organizations and promoted “normalization” with Israel’s enemies.
However, some analysts have suggested that Hamas had other motives for launching the attack, such as diverting attention from its internal problems, boosting its popularity among Palestinians, or provoking a regional war that could involve Iran and other allies.
The reaction
The attack has shocked and saddened many people around the world, who have expressed their solidarity and support for the victims and their families. Many celebrities, artists and musicians have also condemned the attack and paid tribute to those who lost their lives or were injured.
Some of the performers who were scheduled to perform at the festival have shared their messages of sorrow and anger on social media. They include DJ Tiesto, who wrote: “I can’t believe what happened at Supernova festival. My heart goes out to all the victims and their loved ones. This is an act of pure evil.”
Another performer, singer Ariana Grande, posted: “I’m devastated by the news from Israel. I was supposed to be there with you guys tonight. I’m so sorry for everyone who was there or had someone there. This is a nightmare. I love you all so much.”
The organizers of the festival have also issued a statement on their website, saying: “We are deeply saddened and horrified by the brutal attack that took place at our festival. We are working closely with the authorities to provide any assistance we can. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this tragedy.
