Israel-Hamas war timeline: From surprise attack by Hamas in 2023 to ceasefire deal in 2025 The hostilities between Israel and Hamas has raged since October 2023 and has seen an escalation between Israel and Iran, and even opened a direct conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Get the latest developments as the war between Israel and Hamas unfolds. Israel's military operation to dismantle Hamas in retaliation for the October 7, 2023, attack has inflicted significant damage, killing several of its leaders and thousands of fighters, while ... The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a surprise attack on Israel, in which 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 815 civilians, were killed. 251 were taken hostage with the stated goal of forcing Israel to release Palestinian prisoners.
