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Israel Marks October 7 Anniversary as Gaza Strikes Continue
Israel held ceremonies three years after Hamas attacked the country on October 7, 2023.
The attack killed many people and took hostages to Gaza.
A memorial was held at the site of the Nova music festival, and another event took place in Tel Aviv.
Israel also carried out new strikes in Gaza, where Palestinian officials said two people died.
A ceasefire agreement has reduced major fighting, but attacks have continued.
Many people in Gaza still live in tents or damaged buildings, according to the reports.
Israel and Hamas disagree about whether Hamas must disarm before Israeli troops withdraw.
The anniversary also came shortly before an Israeli election.
Netanyahu said Hamas would not rule Gaza and vowed to keep targeting people involved in the attack or hostage-taking.
Israel marked three years since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack with memorial events, including a vigil at the Nova music festival site.
The attack killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken to Gaza; the remains of the last Israeli hostage were recovered in January.
Israel carried out new strikes in Gaza during the anniversary; Palestinian officials reported two people killed.
Gaza health authorities say more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since the October 2025 ceasefire, which halted major fighting but has not stopped Israeli attacks.
The anniversary came about 20 days before Israel’s general election, with Netanyahu facing criticism over the security breach and calls for an independent investigation.
- Who
- Israelis commemorating the October 7 attack; Hamas; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and Palestinians in Gaza affected by continuing strikes.
- What
- Israel marked the third anniversary of Hamas’s attack while Israeli forces carried out new strikes in Gaza.
- Where
- Memorial events took place at the Nova music festival site near the Gaza border and at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv; strikes were reported in Gaza.
- When
- Wednesday, October 7, three years after the 2023 attack; the reports also refer to a ceasefire declared in October 2025.
- Why
- The events commemorated the Hamas attack that triggered Israel’s military assault on Gaza.
Hamas and Palestinian position
Israeli government position
Disarmament and troop withdrawal
Hamas and Palestinian position
Hamas says it has agreed to a phased process but will not disarm while Israeli attacks continue.
Israeli government position
Israel says it will not withdraw its troops until Hamas fully disarms.
Responsibility for the security breach
Hamas and Palestinian position
Families of people killed in the October 7 attack have joined others calling for an independent investigation, according to the report.
Israeli government position
Netanyahu has rejected blame for the security breach and resisted calls for an independent investigation.
Key facts
- Anniversary
- Three years since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
- Israeli attack toll
- The Reuters report says 1,200 people were killed and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza.
- Nova festival
- The report says 348 young people were killed at the festival site.
- Latest Gaza strikes
- Palestinian officials reported two people killed in new strikes.
- Deaths since ceasefire
- Gaza health authorities report more than 1,400 Palestinians killed since the October 2025 ceasefire; one report gives the figure as more than 1,430.
- Israeli military deaths since ceasefire
- The Israeli military says five soldiers have been killed by militants or in combat during the same period.
- Election timing
- The Reuters report says Israel’s election was about 20 days away.
Sources
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