ISRAEL AT WAR: Toll tops 600 dead, 100 kidnapped after Israel’s bloodiest day * Relatives of missing: Nobody’s helping us * A kibbutz bloodbath * How Hamas burst through

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Sunday, October 8, 2023 Live updates [LIVE: IDF intensifies Gaza strikes as cabinet approves war, Israeli death toll passes 600]( By ToI Staff Clashes continue in border towns; IDF hits Hamas targets, says more than 400 terrorists killed; families search for missing loved ones, 2,156 wounded, dozens taken hostage to Gaza Israel at war [/ Saturday said to be the bloodiest day in country's history]( [Death toll from Hamas onslaught passes 600, over 100 kidnapped, as Israel strikes Gaza]( By Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff Over 2,000 wounded and relatives of missing issue impassioned pleas for help; IDF still working to clear terrorists from Israeli communities, over 34 hours after assault began [Israel at war / Forces continue to battle terrorists in Gaza border area after devastating assault]( By Michael Bachner, Emanuel Fabian and ToI Staff [Israel at war / Massive IDF call-up as gunfights continue in towns; 300 Israelis dead, rockets persist]( By Emanuel Fabian, Gianluca Pacchiani and ToI Staff [Relatives of dozens killed or kidnapped to Gaza from rave: ‘Nobody is helping us’]( By ToI Staff Distraught family members say they’ve been abandoned by the government as they search for the mostly young people still missing after Hamas terrorists attacked party [Outside Ofakim, anguished parents seek signs of life from kids stranded in battle zone]( By Canaan Lidor [Relatives of missing told to bring loved ones’ DNA to police to aid in identification]( By ToI Staff Analysis Haviv Rettig Gur [A wounded, weakened Israel is a fiercer one]( The assault on Israeli towns was as cruel as Hamas could make it, and every agonizing minute was broadcast to Israelis as a message and a humiliation. Now comes the Israeli answer [Promising merciless war on Hamas, Netanyahu says Israel will ‘avenge this black day’]( By ToI Staff Prime minister warns Gazans to ‘get out now,’ vowing to smash terror group’s capabilities after unprecedented surprise attack, says Biden and other leaders back freedom of action [Biden offers ‘rock solid’ support for Israel, warns others against joining attack]( By Luke Tress [Kibbutz Be’eri bloodbath reminds Israelis of fears and fortitude from 1948]( By Canaan Lidor The ease with which Hamas controlled the community for 17 hours made many appreciate both locals’ resolve and their country’s vulnerability Top Ops Rachel Sharansky Danziger [Dancing under fire in Jerusalem]( We are heartbroken, but we are more than our heartbreak. We are sad, but we are more than our grief. Hamas won’t defeat us Daniella Levy [I don’t feel safe in my bed]( My son was scared. ’You’re safe,’ I told him. ’We’re here. No one is going to break into your room and try to murder you.’ But I no longer can be sure Yitzhak Sokoloff [The price Israelis are willing to pay]( Political leaders have believed for too long that voters are unwilling to make the sacrifices needed for national survival Zev Farber [The Gaza Disengagement just died. What happens next?]( First, end Hamas? Then, maybe retake the Strip? Try Palestinian autonomy again? Or we could aim for a completely new approach [Authorities name 44 soldiers, 34 police officers killed in Hamas attack]( By Emanuel Fabian Col. Jonathan Steinberg, commander of Nahal Brigade; Col. Roi Levy, 44, commander of ‘Ghost’ Unit, are among the most senior officers to be killed in combat in recent memory [Commander of IDF’s Nahal Brigade killed in clashes with Hamas on Gaza border]( By Emanuel Fabian [‘Always the first to defend’: The Israelis slain in Hamas’s surprise onslaught]( By ToI Staff Behind the headlines [Israel at war: Join ToI on Monday for live webinar on Operation Swords of Iron]( By ToI Staff On Oct. 9, ToI Community members’ questions will be answered by military reporter Emanuel Fabian, diplomatic reporter Lazar Berman and Arab affairs reporter Gianluca Pacchiani Analysis David Horovitz [Young and old, female and male, Israel’s civilians are the prime victims of Hamas war]( Israel’s leadership misread and underestimated Hamas. With a horrific, mounting death toll, and numerous citizens taken hostage in Gaza, the days ahead will be challenging indeed [Man shot dead by police after reportedly being mistaken for terrorist]( By Emanuel Fabian [Hamas videos seem to show how group burst through border to start murderous invasion]( By Emanuel Fabian Footage shows drones bombing IDF observation posts and weapons systems at border, followed by blasts that destroyed parts of the fence [Hamas deputy chief anticipates hostages will be swapped for Palestinian prisoners]( By Gianluca Pacchiani and AFP [Street rallies celebrate Hamas onslaught in West Bank and throughout the Middle East]( By Gianluca Pacchiani [‘It was utter chaos’: Families, survivors tell of horrors of Hamas invasion]( By Ron Kampeas Yoni Asher tells public radio he opened laptop to track wife’s cellphone, which last pinged in Gaza town of Khan Younis, amid reports of numerous Israelis abducted and held in Strip [Explainer / What happened in Israel? The Hamas attack, its grim toll and what’s next]( By JTA and ToI Staff [11 Thai nationals abducted by Hamas; Thailand PM: ‘They are innocent’]( By Gavriel Fiske s-mortars/?utm_campaign=TheDailyBriefing&utm_source=website&utm_medium=2col [Day 2 of Operation Swords of Iron – Hezbollah fires mortars](s-mortars/?utm_campaign=TheDailyBriefing&utm_source=website&utm_medium=2col) s-mortars/?utm_campaign=TheDailyBriefing&utm_source=website&utm_medium=2col [listen to the podcast](s-mortars/?utm_campaign=TheDailyBriefing&utm_source=website&utm_medium=2col) [American Jewish groups offer broad support to Israel after assault from Gaza]( By Gavriel Fiske After the early-morning infiltration attack, organizations from across the political spectrum release statements supporting the Jewish state and condemning Hamas [US pro-Palestinian groups applaud Hamas terror onslaught, plan support rallies]( By Luke Tress [Hezbollah fires mortars at Israel; IDF strike hits tent on Lebanon border in response]( By Emanuel Fabian Iran-backed terror group announces it targeted Israeli military sites in Mount Dov region in solidarity with Hamas attack on south; no reports of injuries [Tel Aviv shares plunge amid fears of prolonged war]( By Sharon Wrobel [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Oct. 8: Day 2 of Operation Swords of Iron – Hezbollah fires mortars]( By ToI Staff [Simhat Torah festivities across US muted by anxiety about war in Israel]( By JTA Congregations hold prayer vigils and tone down celebrations amid preoccupation with unfolding conflict faced by Jewish state [On a grim Shabbat, worried Manhattan Jews gather in show of solidarity with Israel]( By julia GERGELY [Two Israeli tourists killed in shooting attack at Egyptian tourist site]( By Lazar Berman Local guide slain, third Israeli injured as policeman reportedly opens fire in Alexandria [National Security Council warns Israelis abroad to be on alert for attacks]( By ToI Staff and AFP Op-ed Tal Schneider [For years, Netanyahu propped up Hamas. Now it’s blown up in our faces]( The premier’s policy of treating the terror group as a partner, at the expense of Abbas and Palestinian statehood, has resulted in wounds that will take Israel years to heal from [Analysis / Saudi-Israeli normalization effort takes a violent detour after Hamas attack]( By AFP and ToI Staff [CRM]( [This Israel-born musician is spearheading a Ladino revival, from Taiwan to Toronto]( By Martin Rosenberg Taking her show on the road, singer and trombonist Nani Vazana brings a lost language and culture to audiences familiar with it and to newcomers alike [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2023 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved