Thirty-eight years ago–on the Yom Kippur of October 6, 1973–Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated surprise attack on Israel. The Yom Kippur War was launched on the holiest day on the Jewish calendar: The Day of Atonement.

Pictured here are Israeli troops who fought off Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai desert. Photo: IDF archives.

Despite Israel’s final military supremacy, the war took a great toll on all participating countries, with tremendous damage and many casualties. 2,297 Israeli soldiers were killed, and more than 7,200 injured.

• Video: A snapshot of the Yom Kippur War
• Photos: Archive photos of the Yom Kippur War
• Read about a national Yom Kippur War hero and recipient of the highest military decoration

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2. Security Crossings into Israel from Judea and Samaria Temporarily Closed During Yom Kippur Holiday, 16 Sept 2010

3. Summary of Today’s Terror Attacks from Gaza