The Gaza Envelope encompasses the populated areas in the Southern District of Israel that are within 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) of the Gaza Strip border and are therefore within range of mortar shells and Qassam rockets launched from the Gaza Strip.
A Merkava Mark IV tank patrols the Gaza border (February 2012)
Damage caused by fire-kites, launched from the Gaza Strip
2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel
On 7 October 2023, Hamas and several other Palestinian militant groups launched coordinated armed incursions from the Gaza Strip into the Gaza envelope of southern Israel, the first invasion of Israeli territory since the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups named the attacks Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, while in Israel they are referred to as Black Saturday or the Simchat Torah Massacre, and internationally as the 7 October attack. The attacks consequently started the ongoing Israel–Hamas war.
Satellite view of widespread fires in Israel around the Gaza Strip on 7 October 2023
Blood stain on a house in Be'eri
Militant abducting a man during the Re'im music festival massacre that left at least 360 people dead and others taken hostage
Child's bedroom, Kfar Aza, after 7 October Hamas Attacks
