Kibbutz Kfar Aza — 66 Killed

Kibbutz Kfar Aza, directly adjacent to the Gaza border, was one of the first kibbutzim breached. Hamas fighters entered early morning and systematically killed residents, including entire families. 66 people were killed, many inside their homes in a 'young farm' section of the kibbutz populated by young adults. IDF soldiers who arrived later were shocked by the scale of the violence; video of soldiers discovering the scene circulated internationally. Some residents survived in safe rooms. Approximately 19 were taken hostage.