Israelis mark three years since Hamas attack that set off Gaza assault
Israelis are marking the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks amid a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a looming national election. The political landscape remains fractured as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces scrutiny over security failures and the ongoing war.
Why it matters
The anniversary highlights the deep social and political trauma in Israel and the unresolved nature of the conflict, which continues to influence the upcoming election.
Israelis will on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) mark three years since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering a military assault that destroyed much of Gaza, where conditions remain dire despite a year-old ceasefire that is meant to halt the war for good.
The attacks, during which militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages to Gaza, marked the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Israel’s subsequent bombardment and ground operations have killed more than 74,000 people in Gaza, health authorities there say.
On Wednesday (October 7, 2026), Israelis will hold a vigil at the site of the Nova music festival near the Gaza border, where 348 young people were killed by militants during the attack.
They will also hold an event commemorating the anniversary at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
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