Holit massacre | |
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Part of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel | |
![]() Hayim Katsman (far left), a peace activist killed in the Hamas attack, seen here volunteering in the West Bank to ease tensions between settlers and Palestinians. | |
![]() ![]() Holit Site of the attack in Israel | |
Native name | הטבח בחולית |
Location | Holit, Southern District, Israel |
Coordinates | 31°13′48″N 34°19′36″E / 31.23000°N 34.32667°E |
Date | 7 October 2023 |
Attack type | Mass shooting, mass murder, war crime |
Deaths | 15 (12 residents, 3 foreign workers) |
Injured | 8 (recovered), others unreported |
Victims | Hostages: 7 (3 residents, 4 Bedouin employees) (5 released, 2 still held) |
Perpetrator | ![]() |
On 7 October 2023, the Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades attacked Holit, a kibbutz close to the border fence with the Gaza Strip, as part of a surprise attack on Israel.
Thirteen residents, including a Holocaust survivor, and Israelis with dual nationality from the United States, Canada and Argentina were killed. Three foreign kibbutz employees from Cambodia, Moldavia and an unnamed country were also killed.
A resident, whose parents were killed, and a Thai employee, were injured. They recovered, with the employee subsequently returning to Thailand.
Seven hostages were taken captive. Three were released or escaped on the same or the next day (depending on the source). An additional two were released during the Israel-Hamas hostage exchange. Two hostages remain in captivity.
Tanks from the Paran Brigade, and the Shaldag Unit, only regained control of the kibbutz after midnight, clearing it of militants either by killing or chasing them away.
History of Kibbutz Holit
The kibbutz was established in 1977 in the Sinai and was transferred to the Negev as part of the 1982 Egypt–Israel peace treaty. The kibbutz had 84 members before the 2023 massacre.
Attack
Residents of the kibbutz say the attack on Holit started at around 8AM. Hamas militants moved from house to house, killing at least 11 civilians and injuring many more.