Israelis and Palestinians marked the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel with solemn commemorations and renewed reflections on the conflict’s toll. On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages, sparking a retaliatory military campaign in Gaza that has since killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left much of the territory in ruins. The war has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million residents, with more than half the territory under Israeli military control despite a ceasefire agreement reached nearly a year ago.
Israel holds memorials as hostages return
Across Israel, families and officials gathered at sites including the Nova music festival location, bomb shelters, and kibbutzim devastated by the attack. The memorials coincided with the first anniversary since all remaining hostages were released, marking a shift from immediate crisis to long-term grief. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, survivors and relatives observed a moment of silence at 6:29 a.m.—the exact time the assault began—before raising an Israeli flag. In Nahal Oz, where 15 people were killed and eight taken hostage, survivor Danny Rahamim reflected on the trauma, stating, “One day there will be peace, I have no doubt.” He added, “I have the responsibility to give hope to my children and grandchildren.”
Elkana Bohbot, 37, who was held captive for 738 days before his release last year, shared his experience of being held 50 meters underground in a tunnel. “For most of that time, I was given very little food and allowed to bathe only every few weeks,” he said. His account was one of several testimonies highlighting the human cost of the conflict. In Sydney, hundreds attended a vigil at Bondi Pavilion, where speakers emphasized the global impact of October 7 on Jewish communities. “October 7 changed Israel. October 7 changed Jewish communities around the world,” said Michael Gencher of StandWithUs Australia.
Gaza’s crisis deepens amid stalled recovery
In Gaza, the anniversary underscored the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. The Israeli military campaign has left large parts of the territory’s cities in rubble, with most of Gaza’s population—approximately 2 million people—living in squalid tent camps. Over half the territory remains under Israeli control, and despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue almost daily. At Kibbutz Nir Oz, once home to 400 residents, postboxes now bear red stickers marking those killed and black stickers for those taken hostage. “That’s one out of four of us: murdered or kidnapped, including children and babies,” said Dalit Ram Aharon, a survivor.
The devastation extends beyond Gaza. Israeli troops occupy parts of southern Lebanon in a separate conflict with Hezbollah, which began firing on Israel in 2023 in support of Hamas. The broader regional tensions have drawn in Iran and the United States, with confrontations in Gulf Arab countries shaking the global economy. Analysts note that while the Gaza war did not directly trigger these conflicts, it contributed to a broader destabilization across the Middle East.
Calls for accountability and rebuilding
As Israel prepares for national elections on October 27, some survivors and families criticized the current government’s handling of the crisis. Rahamim stated, “This government is the most terrible and bad government that we ever had. If they take power in the next election, I think Israel is in a very bad situation.” Meanwhile, survivors like Dalit and Achi Ram Aharon expressed a desire to return to Nir Oz “in the memory” of those lost, despite the challenges of rebuilding.
The anniversary served as a stark reminder of the human toll of the conflict, with both Israelis and Palestinians grappling with loss, displacement, and the uncertain path toward peace.