Israeli authorities have revised the casualty count from the tragic Nova music festival attack carried out by Hamas militants on October 7, increasing the number to at least 364 individuals, up from the previously reported figure of 270.
Israel's Channel 12 News in a bulletin on Friday night claimed to have obtained a copy of the initial police report on the incident. Although the report itself was not presented, some of its findings were disclosed. According to the Channel 12 News, 17 of the victims were police officers, and 40 festival attendees were reportedly kidnapped by Hamas and taken to Gaza.
Surprisingly, the police investigations into captured militants suggested that Hamas might not have been aware of the festival when launching the attacks. The police report revealed that the first alarm was received at 6:22 a.m., but responders were initially unaware of the full scale of the unfolding tragedy. Initial information indicated that dozens of terrorists had crossed the perimeter fence from Gaza, but the actual number is believed to exceed a thousand.
The report further highlighted that Israeli security forces managed to secure the festival site at 3:30 p.m., more than nine hours after the commencement of the shooting rampage.
It remains uncertain whether the updated casualty count directly impacts the total death toll, which officials had previously stated to be over 1,200. The situation underscores the challenges faced by authorities in managing and responding to such large-scale incidents, with the delayed lockdown of the festival site reflecting the complexity of the situation on October 7.
Israeli Authorities Launch Investigation into Hamas-Led Sexual Violence During October 7 Attacks
Israeli authorities are actively investigating instances of rape and sexual violence committed by individuals associated with Hamas during the unprecedented attacks on October 7. The Israeli Police, led by Superintendent Dudi Katz, has gathered over 1,000 statements and 60,000 video clips related to these attacks. Reports indicate that witnesses have come forward, recounting incidents of sexual assault against women.
However, the lack of firsthand testimony complicates the investigation, and it remains uncertain whether any rape victims survived the assaults. Police Commissioner Shabtai Yaakov emphasized that while the investigation may lead to potential prosecutions, the primary focus at this stage is documentation.
Human rights law expert Cochav Elkayam-Levy, from Hebrew University, has formed a civil commission to gather evidence of these atrocities. Elkayam-Levy expressed the difficulty of uncovering the full extent of the incidents, noting that many women who were sexually assaulted were also tragically murdered.
The Israeli police acknowledged that the investigation might be a lengthy process, recognizing the severity and complexity of the cases. As of Saturday morning, the death toll in Israel reached 1,200, including both Israelis and foreign nationals. Out of the 1,162 fatalities, 859 were civilians and police officers, with 33 identified as children. Additionally, 5,431 people have been injured in the ongoing violence.
Authorities reported that 237 individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals, are being held captive in Gaza. Disturbingly, about 30 of the hostages are children. While some hostages have been released by Hamas, one Israeli soldier was rescued by Israeli forces, and three bodies of captives have been retrieved.
The situation is evolving, and authorities continue to work diligently to document and address the grave incidents that have transpired, with a commitment to seeking justice for the victims.
(With agency inputs)
Also Read | IDF Eliminates One of The Masterminds of October 7 Hamas Attack
