The attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 killed more than 1,200 people, with civilians used as human shields.

Omissions

• The precise identified death toll per Israeli social security data (published December 2023) is 1,139 victims (695 Israeli civilians, 373 security personnel, 71 foreigners), slightly below the 'more than 1,200' figure; the claim thus reflects the commonly rounded mainstream figure of 'about 1,200' rather than the exact identified count.
• The claim that civilians were used as human shields is an allegation disputed by human rights organisations such as B'Tselem and Middle East Institute analysts, who argue Israeli claims of systematic Hamas use of human shields are unproven; it is presented in the speech as an established fact.
• The figure of 1,200 refers to deaths inside Israel on 7 October 2023 (including combatants); it does not include the more than 240 hostages taken or deaths in the subsequent Gaza war.
• The speaker (far-right Austrian Freedom Party) frames the attack as 'the most brutal attack ever', a qualitative characterisation beyond the factual death toll.

Sources

• PrimaryGovernment of Israel – Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe names of over 800 civilians who were murdered in their homes, towns and communities confronting Hamas terrorists during the brutal attack on October 7, 2023.
• SecondaryEncyclopaedia BritannicaThe October 7 attack was an assault led by Hamas against Israel that killed about 1200 people. More than 240 people were taken hostage.
• SecondaryPBS NewsHourThat attack killed some 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.
• SecondaryFrance 24The final death toll from the attack is now thought to be 695 Israeli civilians, including 36 children, as well as 373 security forces and 71 foreigners (total 1,139).
• TertiaryFoundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)Hamas and not the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) assumes responsibility for casualties among Gaza civilians used by Hamas as human shields.
• TertiaryMiddle East InstituteDespite the ubiquitousness of the allegation, the Israeli claims that Hamas systematically and intentionally uses Palestinian civilians as human shields (are disputed).