Israel hosted a series of memorial services across the country on Wednesday, the day the nation marks three years since the Hamas assault that began at 06:29 am. At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, 64 residents lost their lives and 18 were abducted; the Nova music‑festival site saw more than 370 killed and dozens taken hostage, echoing the scale of the original attack.
Security forces were placed on high alert as the commemorations unfolded, driven by intelligence that Hamas might try to strike again on the anniversary. A foiled attempt to hijack a passenger plane bound for Tel Aviv the previous week added to the tense atmosphere.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the state ceremony on Monday, declaring that no Hamas rule would be allowed in Gaza and promising continued assaults on those involved in the October 7 attack. He also warned that the country would not hesitate to target any new threats that emerge from Gaza.
The Gaza Strip remains a humanitarian crisis, with more than 1,430 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the ceasefire began, and hundreds of thousands still living in tents or temporary shelters. The ongoing conflict has also drawn Israel into broader regional confrontations with Hezbollah and Iran.
As the general election approaches, the memory of the October 7 attack and its aftermath will likely dominate political debates and shape voter priorities, setting the stage for a volatile campaign.