Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attacks with nationwide commemorations, reflecting on the deadliest single day in the country’s history as events unfolded across more than 400 locations. At precisely 6:29 in the morning, the exact minute Hamas-led gunmen breached Israeli border communities from Gaza, a national moment of silence initiated the day. The surprise assault resulted in over 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians including children, women, and the elderly, alongside 251 individuals taken hostage into the enclave. Women, elderly people and complete families, those slain included children. The commemoration began with a national moment of silence at the time the attack started. “Just before we enter October 7, I have one message,” she wrote on X. “Everyone who had their hand on the wheel, those in uniforms and suits alike — must go home. Change your profile picture to the most self-evident message: ‘Everyone must go home.’”, i call on all citizens of Israel.
Memorial gatherings extended to the Nova music festival grounds in the Re’im Forest, where more than 370 attendees were killed and 44 abducted. Throughout the day, a national minute of reflection at noon brought together public hospitals, municipalities, universities, and private businesses alongside bereaved families and grassroots protest groups. Convoys and public displays took place across the country, contrasting with the official state memorial ceremonies held earlier on Monday.
Speaking from the Alumim shelter where festival-goers had sought refuge, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the tragedy as a disaster that should never have happened. Meanwhile, Shir Mathias, whose parents Shachar and Shlomi Mathias were killed at Kibbutz Holit, called on social media for leadership accountability, urging citizens to demand the departure of all officials in uniform and suits. Wednesday evening features a major national memorial in Tel Aviv organized by the Kumu movement representing survivors and victims’ families, hosted by former hostage Eli Sharabi and actress Shani Cohen.
During a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel had neutralized 4,000 of the 6,000 militants who infiltrated the country, vowing to reach the remainder amid ongoing military operations. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war. Netanyahu also defended his administration while facing stalled ceasefire efforts from the previous year. According to israel held its official state memorials on Monday. “Even three years after the outbreak of the war — when the State of Israel is stronger than ever — the terrible hours of the Simchat Torah attack remain seared within us,”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referencing the Jewish holiday on which the attack happened.
Grassroots organizations such as the October Council and the Kumu movement drove many of Wednesday’s events, persistently demanding a state commission of inquiry to investigate the national security failures of that day. Netanyahu has continuously resisted establishing such an official investigative body over the past three years. Einav Zangauker, mother of freed hostage Matan Zangauker, emphasized the ongoing public demand for accountability, loss, and national repair. The most powerful investigative mechanism in Israeli law empowered to examine national-level disasters and decisions, a recurring demand by both groups is to establish a state commission of inquiry.
The anniversary arrives less than three weeks before the October 27 election, transforming government accountability into a central campaign issue. Political rivals have intensified criticism against the incumbent prime minister following reports of preliminary warnings received from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates prior to the attacks. Gadi Eisenkot, polling as a primary challenger and having lost his own son in Gaza, accused Netanyahu of avoiding the truth and dodging an official inquiry while planning visits to border communities alongside Bennett. According to “This is a very deep failure,”, Gadi Eisenkot, currently polling as Netanyahu’s main challenger in the elections.
