AT LEAST 260 KILLED AT ISRAELI MUSIC FESTIVAL

Rockets fired from Gaza rained down on Israel Saturday (10/7) at 6:30am local time. Roughly 30 minutes later, attendees of the Supernova music festival in rural Re’im witnessed militants targeting participants as part of the broader assault. CNN reports that at least 260 attendees were killed and an unknown number taken hostage.

Militants paragliding into the festival began shooting indiscriminately. Graphic videos circulating on social media capture the chaos resulting from the explosions and rampant gunfire.

The outdoor electronic-music event takes place on farmland near the Gaza-Israel border. Originating as Universo Paralello in Brazil, in Israel it celebrates the Jewish harvest holiday of Sukkot.

Festival officials released a statement via Instagram on Sunday (10/8): “The Nova tribe is shocked and pained. We participate in the grief of the families of the murdered and missing. We are doing everything we can to assist security forces standing by. They are in continuous contact in the field during scans and searches to locate the missing. In moments like these, it's important to be strong and united, full faith. We will support each other and be there for anyone who needs it."

According to the New York Times, the death toll in Israel from the unprecedented, coordinated attack carried out by Hamas is over 800, with more than 2,400 wounded. Hamas claims to hold at least 150 Israeli hostages. Authorities in Gaza report that more than 675 Palestinians have been killed and 3,700 injured.