Fact Check: "No innocent civilians were killed by Hamas on October 7th"
What We Know
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, which has been described as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country's history. According to a statement from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, approximately 1,200 civilians were killed during this attack, which included more than 40 American citizens among the victims (source-2). This attack occurred on the Jewish holy day of Simchat Torah and involved taking 251 individuals hostage, further underscoring the scale of violence and civilian impact (source-2).
The Congressional Research Service has also documented the ongoing conflict, highlighting that Hamas's actions on this day resulted in significant civilian casualties (source-1). Reports from various news outlets corroborate these figures, emphasizing the civilian toll and the nature of the attack as a terrorist act (source-5).
Analysis
The claim that "no innocent civilians were killed by Hamas on October 7th" is demonstrably false based on multiple credible sources. The U.S. Secretary of Defense's statement, which is a primary source from a government official, explicitly states that around 1,200 civilians were killed during the attack (source-2). This figure is significant and indicates a large number of civilian casualties, contradicting the claim.
Additionally, the Congressional Research Service, a nonpartisan entity that provides information to Congress, supports the assertion that the attack resulted in civilian deaths (source-1). The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from well-established governmental and research institutions.
In contrast, the claim appears to lack credible evidence or sources to support it. The overwhelming consensus among reputable news organizations and government officials is that the attack resulted in significant civilian casualties, which directly contradicts the assertion made in the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that "no innocent civilians were killed by Hamas on October 7th" is False. The evidence clearly shows that approximately 1,200 civilians were killed during the attack, including American citizens, which is well-documented by credible sources such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the Congressional Research Service. The claim fails to align with the factual data available from reliable sources.
Sources
- Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy ... Congress.gov
- Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III ... Defense.gov
- Israel-Hamas War: What You Need To Know | AJC AJC
