A year since Hamas attacked Israel

MIDDLE EAST – On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invaded Israel. Now, over a year later, the conflict is more intense than ever. The war has impacted Israel, the Gaza Strip, the regions surrounding the countries involved, as well as the rest of the world.

Thousands of Hamas fighters entered Israel by climbing a border fence, arriving in speedboats, and even some paragliding down. This attack took place during dawn and caught the country of Israel by surprise.

During this attack, 1,200 people were left dead as well as another 250 held hostage. This was the driving conflict that set into motion the events that now threaten to turn Israel's long-running conflict with Iran into an intense and dangerous war.

During a brief ceasefire last November, some hostages were released, but many remain captive. There are currently 101 hostages unaccounted for and the Prime Minister of Israel believes roughly a third of them are dead.

Since the start of Israel’s military response, over 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza are estimated to have been killed. A significant portion of that number is women and children. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, another 95,000 have been injured.

Last week, Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israeli territory, the most recent attacks since the war began. The missile strikes from Iran were in retaliation for a series of devastating blows that Israel launched in recent weeks against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah who reside in Lebanon.

Between hostages, airstrikes, missiles, explosions, and gunfire the conflict only seems to be escalating in deadlier ways. There is no end to the war in sight.

Hannah Neurohr is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email hmn5264@psu.edu.