Israelis mark three years since Hamas's October 7 attack

JERUSALEM,— Israelis on Wednesday will mark three years since the Islamist extremist Palestinian militant group Hamas launched its deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, an assault that triggered a military campaign that devastated much of Gaza.

Hamas gunmen attacked Israeli communities and military bases near the Gaza border, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, including children, and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. The attack was the deadliest day in Israel’s history.

Hamas militants have also been accused of rape and other forms of sexual abuse involving hostages.

Israeli military operations followed the Hamas assault, including extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza.

Israeli officials have reported that the campaign killed thousands of Hamas fighters and leaders.

On Wednesday, Israelis will gather at the site of the Nova music festival near the Gaza border, where 348 people were killed during the attack. A separate anniversary event will be held at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.

This is the first anniversary since all Israeli hostages were returned or their remains recovered. The last Israeli hostage’s remains were recovered in January.

Hostages, both living and dead, were returned under exchanges involving “Palestinian” prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Islamist Hamas Arab militants ride with the body of an Israeli civilian killed by them in an Israeli kibbutz near the Gaza Strip fence, in Gaza City, October 7, 2023. Photo: Video/SM/via iKurd.net

The anniversary comes 20 days before Israel’s first election since the attack. The vote is widely viewed as a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long tenure.

Netanyahu has rejected responsibility for the security failure that allowed the attack and opposed calls for an independent investigation. His position has angered many Israelis, including relatives of those killed, some of whom have entered the election race.

A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 68% of Jewish Israelis said the Oct. 7 events were either a very central or fairly central factor in deciding which party to support.

Election surveys show that neither Netanyahu nor his main rivals would currently have enough parliamentary seats to form a governing coalition.

Hamas released a video showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who appears pale, skeletally thin, and shirtless, August 2025. Photo: Hamas video

The anniversary also comes after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire reached on Oct. 10, 2025, halted major fighting but failed to end Israeli attacks in Gaza or secure the disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups.

Israel remains in control of about 53% of Gaza, according to the text, with Israeli forces later expanding their control to nearly two-thirds.

Hamas controls the remaining area, where most of Gaza’s roughly 2 million people live in tents or damaged buildings.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace has proposed plans for rebuilding Gaza. The proposals have failed to win agreement from Israel or Hamas, which remain divided over the terms of a broader ceasefire.

The main dispute is Hamas’ weapons. Israel says it will not withdraw its forces until Hamas fully disarms. Hamas says it has accepted a phased process but will not surrender its weapons while Israeli attacks continue.

Israel has continued airstrikes in Gaza, killing Hamas militants in recent months.

(With files from Reuters)