How Hamas assault on Israel unfolded 1 2021-23: Ismail Haniyeh (above), leader of Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, oversees building and stockpiling of thousands of rockets and construction of mock Israeli settlement in Gaza where militants practice attacks. Hamas convinces Israel it does not want war, fooling Shin Bet, Israeli domestic intelligence, and Mossad, external spy agency 2 Sep 2023: Meetings in Lebanon between Hamas and Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders 3 Oct 7, 05:50 local time: Explosion at concrete barrier of Erez crossing checkpoint – main border crossing with Israel – signals start of assault. Fighters move into military base 4 Hamas militants overrun Kerem Shalom checkpoint, cutting through fence. Motorbikes carrying armed militants (centre) pass through fence. Bulldozers (right) widen gaps for more fighters in pick-up trucks 5 Dawn, Beit Lahia: Video posted by Hamas shows fighters on hang gliders flying in direction of Zikim 6 06:30, Be’eri: Hang gliders descend on Supernova music festival, all-night dance party in desert. Hamas fighters on motorbikes arrive. Around 260 people killed, others taken hostage 06:30-onwards: Thousands of rockets launched from Gaza Strip into southern Israel 7 07:40-onwards: Hamas fighters infiltrate Israel by land – smashing down border walls – sea and air. Dozens of fighters, backed by bomb-dropping drones, take control of Nahal Oz military base 8 09:45-onwards: Israeli Air Force begins air strikes on Gaza 9-11 10:00: Fighters storm Sufa military base and Gaza division HQ at Re’im. Zikim military base attacked from sea using rubber boats. Late morning: Estimated 100 hostages moved to Gaza 11:00: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (inset) declares “We are at war” after surprise attacks leave at least 800 Israeli soldiers and civilians dead Points where Hamas fighters crossed into Israel Israeli towns invaded by militants Retaliatory Israeli air strikes Gaza border: Concrete wall or fences with regular patrols, network of cameras and ground motion sensors to prevent incursions. Seven official crossings Zikim military base Erez checkpoint Beit Lahia Beit Hanoun Gaza City Sderot Nahal Oz military base Be'eri Re'im military HQ Kisufim border crossing ISRAEL Ofakim Magen LEBANON Sufa military base Kerem Shalom checkpoint GAZA STRIP Khan Younis Rafah EGYPT 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 10 11 4km 2.5 miles ISRAEL 2 80km 50 miles Sources: CNN, Global Security, The Times of Israel, Politico, Reuters Pictures: Getty Images, Hamas social media © GRAPHIC NEWS