Holit attack | |
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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. | |
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 Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades (the militant wing of the Hamas party) attacked Holit, a kibbutz close to the border fence with the Gaza Strip, as part of the 7 October attacks on Israel.
Twelve residents including one member of the security team were killed, Three foreign kibbutz employees, two from Nepal and a Moldavian, were also killed.
A resident, whose parents were killed, and a Thai employee, were injured. They recovered, with the employee subsequently returning to Thailand. Four members of a family were injured when a grenade failed to breach their safe room, but shrapnel entered through the space under the door.
Seven hostages were taken captive. Three were released on the day of the attack just before reaching the Gaza border fence. An additional two were released during the Israeli–Palestinian prisoner exchange. Two hostages remain in captivity.
Tanks from the Israel Defence Forces' (IDF) 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.