Israel marks three years since Hamas attack on October 7

Third anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack

Israel observed the third anniversary of the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages. The attack triggered a war in Gaza that has resulted in at least 74,243 civilian deaths, according to figures from Gaza’s health ministry that the United Nations regards as reliable.

National memorial and state ceremonies

The Israeli government held a national memorial day on Monday, lowering flags to half-staff at the Knesset and the president’s residence. Two state ceremonies were conducted at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem to honor victims and soldiers who died in Gaza.

International response and accusations

A 2025 United Nations commission concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, citing widespread civilian casualties and destruction. Israel denies the genocide allegations. The war continues despite a nominal ceasefire, leaving Israel isolated internationally.

Local impact

Residents of communities devastated by the massacres have spoken about the difficulty of rebuilding while coping with the memory of lost friends and relatives. The assault remains the deadliest in Israel’s history and continues to shape political debate.