3 years after October 7, Israel remembers its dead amid election heat

Israel on Wednesday marked the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, with memorial events being held across the country as the anniversary coincides with preparations for a general election.The commemorations are the first since a ceasefire began in Gaza last year. Families and communities are remembering those killed and taken hostage during the assault, which remains a defining event in Israeli politics and security.The attack began at 6.29am, when Palestinian fighters breached the Gaza border and attacked southern Israeli communities with guns, rockets and grenades. According to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, 1,221 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza. Forty-four of the hostages were already dead.A memorial was scheduled at Kibbutz Kfar Aza at the exact time the attack began. Sixty-four residents were killed and 18 people were abducted from the community.