Timeline of war

What started as a violent conflict between Israel and Hamas in the south of Israel on 7 October 2023 has now evolved into a war on all fronts, pushing the Middle East to the brink. We take a look at what has taken place over the past year.

7 October 2023

Hamas launches “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” with a surprise and unprovoked attack on southern Israel, killing 1 200 civilians and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. Attacks are carried out by Hamas at the Nova festival, as well as at kibbutzim such as Be’eri, Nir Oz, and Nir Am.

8 October 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares a state of war. The Israel Defense Force (IDF) announces the mobilisation of additional reservists and deploys airstrikes on Gaza.

13 October 2023

The IDF tells the residents of Gaza City to evacuate and move south.

18 October 2023

United States (US) President Joe Biden makes a solidarity visit to Israel.

15 November 2023

The IDF takes control of Al-Shifa Hospital, the biggest hospital in Gaza, which it claims is being used as underground headquarters for Hamas.

24 November 2023

A temporary ceasefire is put in place between Israel and Hamas. More than 50 hostages are released including South African-born hostages Aviva Siegel and Channah Peri. Israel in return releases 150 Palestinian women and children who were in Israeli jails. The ceasefire is short-lived, and is broken by Hamas on 1 December.

26 December 2023

South African-born parents, Clive and Debbie Chitiz, lose their son, Yaron, in Gaza while serving in the IDF.

29 December 2023

The South African government, spearheaded by President Cyril Ramaphosa and then-Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor, take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa accuses Israel of committing a campaign of genocide against the Palestinian population.

11 January 2024

The US and United Kingdom launch airstrikes across Yemen against Houthi rebels.

14 January 2024

The war reaches the 100-day mark with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing that “No-one will stop us. Not [even] The Hague,” alluding to South Africa’s case at the ICJ.

22 January 2024

In a bloody battle in central Gaza, 21 IDF soldiers are killed in a single incident. This is the most soldiers killed in a single day since the war began.

26 January 2024

The ICJ issues a ruling that Israel must do all that it can to prevent death, destruction, and acts of genocide, but stops short of calling for a halt to military operations in Gaza.

17 March 2024

After more than five months of uncertainty, South African-born soldier Daniel Perez, the son of World Mizrachi head Rabbi Doron Perez, is confirmed dead, with a funeral taking place the following day.

13 April 2024

Iran launches a barrage of missiles and drones towards Israel. The Iron Dome intercepts the missiles and drones, saving many Israeli lives.

7 May 2024

The IDF launches its ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and takes control of the border crossing with Egypt.

30 July 2024

Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, is killed in an Israel airstrike in Iran while attending the inauguration of the country’s new president. The previous Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, was killed in a helicopter crash on 19 May.

17 September 2024

Pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members explode in Lebanon, killing 39 and wounding almost 3 000.

27 September 2024

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is killed in Lebanon by an Israeli airstrike.

7 October 2024

Commemoration events are hosted across the world to mark one year since the outbreak of the war. Pro-Palestinian marches continue in full swing in condemnation of Israel around the world.