Written evidence submitted anonymously to the Foreign Affairs Committee (IPC0139)
Subject: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict – Focus on 7 October 2023 Attack
This written evidence submission is provided in response to the Foreign Affairs Committee's ongoing work relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It focuses on the events of 7 October 2023, drawing on the findings of The 7 October Parliamentary Commission Report (also known as The Roberts Report), specifically Chapters 1, 5, 6, and 7.
The purpose of this evidence is to support a fact-based understanding of the unprecedented terror attacks committed by Hamas and affiliated groups against civilians and military targets in southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
The submitter requests that this evidence be considered anonymously, due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter and associated safety concerns. The submitter also respectfully requests that the Committee accept this evidence despite the original deadline having passed, on the understanding that the deadline was subsequently postponed.
1.1 On 7 October 2023, Hamas led a coordinated and highly orchestrated attack on southern Israel, marking one of the deadliest single-day attacks in the region’s modern history. A total of 1,182 individuals were killed and over 4,000 wounded. Of the fatalities, 73% were civilians.
1.2 A total of 251 hostages were taken, including 210 people alive and 41 deceased bodies. Hostages included babies as young as 9 months as well as elderly individuals in their 80s and 90s, some of whom were later confirmed to have died in captivity.
1.3 The attack was launched during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah and began with an intense rocket barrage followed by ground, air, and sea incursions. A total of 3,873 rockets were fired on 7 October alone, followed by hundreds more in the following days.
1.4 The perpetrators, consisting of over 6,000 individuals from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other armed groups, breached the border at 119 locations. They targeted civilian and military sites and were supported by extensive logistical preparations. Many attackers wore GoPro cameras and uploaded videos of atrocities online in real-time.
1.5 Victims included Israeli Jews, Arab Israelis, Bedouins, and foreign nationals from 44 countries and all ages.
● The youngest victim was Naama Abu Rashed, a newborn baby girl. Naama's mother, a 30-year-old Bedouin-Israeli woman, was nine months pregnant when she was shot and killed during the Hamas-led assault. In an emergency procedure performed after her mother's death, Naama was delivered but tragically survived for only 14 hours before passing away.
● The oldest victim of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks was Moshe Riddler, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor. He was killed when a terrorist fired an RPG at his safe room.
● 1.6 Seventeen British nationals were among those killed.
2.1 The attack on civilian communities was executed with exceptional brutality. A total of 32 civilian communities were assaulted, including Kibbutzim such as Be’eri, Kfar Aza, and Nir Oz. In Be’eri alone, 99 civilians were murdered. In Nir Oz alone, 75 people were taken hostage.
The attack on civilian communities was executed with exceptional brutality. A total of 32 civilian communities were assaulted, including Kibbutzim such as Be’eri, Kfar Aza, and Nir Oz. In Be’eri alone, 99 civilians were murdered. The assault also targeted nearby cities, such as Sderot, Ofakim, and Netivot, with militants conducting door-to-door executions and kidnappings in some areas. In addition, the Nova Music Festival, located near Kibbutz Re’im, was targeted early in the assault, resulting in the massacre of over 370 attendees, making it the deadliest concert attack in history. Multiple military posts were also overrun, including the Nahal Oz base and the Re’im base, where dozens of soldiers were killed, many of whom were female soldiers serving in unarmed roles. These attacks, which targeted both civilian and military sites, were coordinated and highly organized, making it one of the most devastating and tragic days in the region’s history.
2.2 The Kedem-Siman-Tov Family Story:
I wish to bring attention to one of the countless families whose lives were tragically erased by the horrors of this attack: the Kedem-Siman-Tov family, who were among those ruthlessly taken from this world.
Tamar Kedem-Siman-Tov, 35, her husband Yonatan “Johnny” Siman Tov, 36, their 5.5-year-old twin daughters, Shahar and Arbel, and their 2-year-old son Omer were killed in their home during the attack. Along with them, Johnny’s mother, Carol Siman Tov, was also murdered in her home in the kibbutz.
Around 6:30 AM, Tamar messaged a local moms’ WhatsApp group, asking if everyone was okay, but by 9:48 AM, she sent a final message, stating that she had been wounded. That was the last anyone heard from her.
Johnny, in his final moments, messaged his sister: “They’re here, they’re burning us, we’re suffocating.” Despite being wounded, Johnny and Tamar managed to keep their window closed, choosing to suffocate from smoke inhalation rather than allow attackers to breach their home. Tragically, they and their children were all killed. Their bravery and the horror of their last moments are symbolic of the immense personal cost of the violence inflicted on so many families in southern Israel.
The murder of the Kedem-Siman-Tov family represents the heart-wrenching human toll of this attack, one that destroyed an entire family and left an entire community in mourning. Their lives, filled with hope and promise, were cut short on a day that will forever mark the collective grief of Israel.
2.3 The Abduction at Nova Music Festival – Alon Ohel’s Story:
The attack also targeted the Nova Music Festival near the Gaza border. Alon Ohel, a 24-year-old Israeli pianist, was among the attendees. When Hamas launched its assault, Alon and his friends sought refuge in a nearby bomb shelter, but the shelter became a trap, and Alon was taken hostage.
For nearly 16 months, Alon’s family lived in torment, uncertain of his fate. It wasn’t until February 2025 that they received their first sign of life when two fellow hostages, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy, were released and confirmed that Alon was alive, though in dire conditions.
Alon Ohel has been held captive deep within Hamas’ underground tunnel network. He has been continuously chained, deprived of sunlight, and denied medical treatment. Alon has suffered untreated injuries, including shrapnel wounds to his eye, shoulder, and arm. His eye injury has left him nearly blind on one side, and he has been severely malnourished, surviving on a minimal amount of food. For 16 months, Alon has been subjected to total darkness, compounding the psychological and physical toll on his well-being.
His family describes his condition as severe, due to the ongoing abuse and suffering he has endured. His situation remains critical, and the urgency for his release is more pressing than ever.
3.1 The Roberts Report provides a comprehensive and deeply researched account of war crimes and crimes against humanity that were committed by Hamas and affiliated groups during the attacks of 7 October 2023. The attack was a calculated effort to inflict terror, with an explicit focus on civilian populations, children, and the elderly. These crimes were not random; they were deliberate and systematic, aimed at terrorizing the population and maximizing suffering.
3.2 Deliberate Killing and Mutilation of Civilians:
The violence that ensued was not limited to conventional combat but extended into brutal and targeted attacks on innocent civilians. Entire families were wiped out in their homes, and individuals were shot at point-blank range. In many instances, victims were mutilated post-mortem, and there were several reports of bodies being desecrated in gruesome ways. The fact that many victims were killed in such a barbaric manner—often in their beds or in their homes—demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of the violence. Survivors have reported witnessing these atrocities firsthand and described the horrific sights of mutilated bodies left behind by the attackers.
3.3 Rape, Sexual Assault, and Torture:
One of the most disturbing aspects of the 7 October attacks was the widespread use of sexual violence as a tool of war. Women and girls were raped, tortured, and mutilated, with several being sexually assaulted post-mortem. Survivors have given harrowing testimonies about being assaulted, abducted, and held for days in captivity. One survivor described being held by Hamas militants who forced them to watch the murder of her family before being subjected to sexual violence herself. In some cases, attackers filmed their actions and posted the footage online, making the violation not just a personal assault but a calculated act of psychological warfare.
3.4 Hostages and Torture:
One of the most shocking aspects of the 7 October attacks was the large number of hostages taken by Hamas militants. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women were among the victims who were abducted from their homes, businesses, and public places. They were often bound, beaten, and forced into trucks, where they were transported to Hamas-controlled areas. Many hostages were tortured to extract information or simply for sadistic pleasure. Some were executed on the spot or died from their injuries. The fact that many hostages were subjected to ongoing torture, deprived of food and water, and exposed to inhumane conditions in captivity underscores the gravity of the violations committed.
3.5 Looting and Destruction of Property:
In addition to the mass killings and abductions, the attackers looted homes, schools, and businesses. Many homes were set ablaze or destroyed. Armed militants used accelerants to start fires, ensuring that entire neighborhoods were consumed by flames. The destruction was not limited to residential areas; schools, hospitals, and places of worship were also targeted, further illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the violence. The aftermath left entire communities unrecognizable, with tens of thousands of people displaced and seeking refuge in other areas.
3.6 Psychological Warfare and Terror:
A significant element of the 7 October attacks was the use of social media to broadcast the carnage in real-time. Militants filmed their actions with GoPro cameras, uploading videos of themselves committing atrocities. These videos were shared widely, designed not only to terrorize those watching but to demoralize the entire population. The explicit and graphic nature of these videos was part of a broader strategy to exploit the psychological impact of the violence, spreading fear and anguish among both the Israeli public and the international community. The use of such media further exacerbated the trauma and suffering of the victims, their families, and the global audience exposed to these images.
3.7 Impact on Children and Families:
Children were disproportionately affected by the violence. In many cases, entire families were murdered in front of their children, leaving the youngest victims scarred for life. Survivors who were children or adolescents at the time of the attack have reported psychological trauma and an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. The emotional and psychological toll of these events on young people is expected to have long-lasting repercussions, affecting their mental health, development, and future lives.
4.1 Seventeen British nationals were killed in the attacks. Two were taken hostage; one of them was murdered in captivity while the other was released after 471 days.
4.2 The British victims included dual nationals, visitors, and long-term residents, illustrating the international nature of the massacre. Many were targeted while attending the Nova Festival or while living in southern Israeli communities.
4.3 The inclusion of British victims emphasizes the UK's moral and diplomatic responsibility to respond. This includes supporting justice for the victims and opposing the denial or minimization of the atrocities.
5.1 The Roberts Report represents one of the most detailed and independently corroborated accounts of the 7 October attacks. Its findings are based on survivor testimony, field research, geolocated media, and forensic analysis.
5.2 The events of 7 October represent not just a mass terror event but a campaign of deliberate, targeted atrocities. These attacks should be recognized under international law as crimes against humanity.
5.3 The UK Parliament should:
a. Acknowledge the findings of the Roberts Report as a factual account of the 7 October attacks.
b. Use the report to inform future UK foreign policy decisions regarding the Middle East.
c. Support international investigations into the crimes committed, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
d. Ensure that such atrocities are recorded accurately in historical and educational materials, so that future generations are made aware of the extent of the crimes committed and the need to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
5.4 The Committee is urged to call on the international community to make the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas a prerequisite for the continued provision of humanitarian aid or other assistance.
9th April 2025