"Israel’s 9/11."

Supporters of Israel’s official narrative claim that the October 7, 2023 attack was a surprise invasion by Hamas terrorists who killed approximately 1,200 civilians, including women, children, and babies. Reports of 40 beheaded infants, mass rapes, and the targeting of music festival attendees were circulated widely, forming the emotional core of Western political and media support for Israel’s military response.

These claims were presented as verified facts within hours of the attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu referenced Holocaust imagery. U.S. and European leaders cited Hamas atrocities to justify blanket support for Israeli bombardment of Gaza. The story was clear: Israel was the victim of an unprovoked massacre, caught off guard, and responding with justified force.

The October 7 attack was not a complete surprise. A New York Times report revealed Israeli intelligence had knowledge of Hamas’s operational plans over a year in advance. Multiple soldiers and analysts raised red flags that were dismissed. On the day of the attack, Israel reportedly activated the Hannibal Directive, a military protocol authorizing lethal force to prevent abductions, even if it meant killing its own civilians. According to Haaretz and Al Jazeera, this may have led to Israeli forces firing on buildings and vehicles containing hostages.

The death toll was also misrepresented. While initial reports claimed 1,400 or more were killed, Israel’s own National Insurance Institute later listed 1,175 confirmed deaths, of which approximately 725 were civilians. That number includes dozens of foreign nationals and military personnel. Framing all deaths as civilian was a deliberate distortion designed to heighten international outrage.

The most emotionally potent claims, 40 beheaded babies and widespread sexual violence, were never substantiated. The “beheaded babies” story was traced to a single soldier’s comment, amplified by foreign media without verification. A Le Monde investigation found no evidence to support it. Similarly, rape allegations were initially cited without forensic or testimonial confirmation. A UN inquiry and multiple reports, including Wikipedia’s review, noted that many of the most shocking claims have since been walked back or contradicted by investigators.