Israel’s plans for a massive counteroffensive came as survivors from a festival where at least 260 were killed shared their stories, including farewell video messages taken while hiding.
The sudden attack launched by Hamas Saturday wrought indiscriminate violence on the people of Israel as terrorists crossed over from the Gaza Strip bringing destruction. This was especially true for the Supernova Festival near Kibbutz Re’im where some 2,000 revelers were sent fleeing for their lives as the onslaught commenced.
According to the Associated Press, the Israeli rescue service Zaka had removed an estimated 260 bodies from the site of the festival where young people had gathered to celebrate the end of the Sukkot holiday. One compilation video shared on social media showed as the party atmosphere turned to horror and survivors, many of them wounded, sought cover until Israel Defense Forces arrived to rescue them.
In a fresh video compilation shared by a young woman, the outdoor Nova Festival went from a wild party to an all-out survival mission in the blink of an eye. The Israeli rescue service Zaka says at least 260 bodies have been recovered
Out of nowhere, Hamas militants opened heavy… pic.twitter.com/gJctAv61AP
— Tim Flack (@tim_meh87) October 9, 2023
Another set of videos centered on a young woman and man who were among those hiding in the brush as weapons continued to be fired in the area, leaving them to offer parting messages to their loved ones.
Civilians from rave festival party who managed to survive by hiding from Hamas terrorists 3/3#Israel #Palestine #Iran #Gaza #Hamas #Hezbollah pic.twitter.com/7kfZFXNqTB
— Time and Gravity (@timendgravity) October 8, 2023
With scores of victims accounted for just at the festival, one positive report found that hundreds of locals and attendees had managed to take shelter in a canal where they were discovered having been cut off from communications.
Breaking: Hundreds of Israeli civillians, both those that were in the rave festival, locals and people that were in the area by chance, were found alive, hiding without cell service in a rainwater canal near the border.
Currently being escorted to safety by IDF forces. pic.twitter.com/DdJOuWCZK6— Israel MyChannel (@IsraelMychannel) October 8, 2023
They were counted among the lucky like Gili Yoskovich who, as previously reported, had spoken about her experience with the BBC as she “saw people were dying all around. I was very quiet. I didn’t cry, I didn’t do anything.”
Others like Noa Argamani found themselves kidnapped by the terrorists leaving their loved ones worried sick upon seeing a video of their abductions. Argamani’s father told Channel 12 News, “She was so petrified, so scared. I couldn’t protect her.”
Many could be seen fleeing for their lives through the parking area as an attendee Ortel had told Channel News, “They turned off the electricity and suddenly out of nowhere they come inside with gunfire, opening fire in every direction.”
Other videos showed the aftermath of the devastation brought down on the festival-goers as some even abandoned their vehicles to run for cover.
Distressing video warning.
Verified video shows the moment attendees of a rave festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7 tried fleeing from oncoming Hamas gunmen. Many from the festival were killed, injured and/or kidnapped by the Islamist militants. pic.twitter.com/o5HAXwpCa7
— Andy Ngô ️ (@MrAndyNgo) October 8, 2023
A recording of the parking lot near the kibbutz in Urim, located several kilometers from the #Gaza Strip, where this unfortunate music festival took place.#Israel #FreePalestine #Hamas #israil #Palestine pic.twitter.com/5FFIyvonzw
— X_Trends (@X_TrendsX) October 8, 2023
Drone footage shows what is left of the site of the Supernova music festival in Re’im, Israel, where Hamas Islamist gunmen killed hundreds of civilians & abducted dozens on Oct. 7. pic.twitter.com/T0AmkrjtTa
— Andy Ngô ️ (@MrAndyNgo) October 9, 2023
Since the terrorist attack was launched against Israel, the nation has declared war on Hamas and struck back at over 1,000 targets in Gaza, according to the AP. With claims of around 130 hostages taken from Israel, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had ordered a “complete siege” on the strip with the intent to cut off electricity and block supplies.
Additionally, Israel’s chief military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari revealed 300,000 reservists were called up to serve as Gallant called their enemies “human animals.”
The AP detailed, “[Hagari] reiterated that the goal is to decimate Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. Hamas has ruled Gaza since driving out forces loyal to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in 2007 and its rule has gone unchallenged through the 16-year Israeli and Egyptian blockade and four previous wars with Israel.”
Additionally, U.S. officials had indicated the ground assault from Israel would be underway within the “next 48 hours,” the Daily Mail reported.
“Never before have so many Israelis been killed by one single thing, let alone enemy activity in one day,” said IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus who called the attack, “by far the worst day in Israeli history.”
Additional military aid was inbound from the United States as the USS Gerald R. Ford-led Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was dispatched to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
“Strengthening our joint force posture, in addition to the material support that we will rapidly provide to Israel, underscored the United States’ ironclad support for the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli people,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
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