Three years ago today, more than 5,000 Gazans led by Hamas crossed the border into Israel with the intent of raping and killing as many Israeli civilians as possible. The invaders gleefully filmed themselves killing 1,200 people, including 47 Americans. They took 251 hostages, including 12 Americans. Investigators have documented at least 15 cases of sexual assault, including gang rape and mutilation.

It was an orgy of violence and nihilism that would ultimately cause not only the reordering of the entire Middle East but also the transformation of one of America’s political parties.