Israel marks three years since deadly Hamas attack

Summarised from 5 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 7 Oct, 12:19 · Archive

Israel commemorates the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage.

Israel observed a nationwide moment of silence at 06:29 on Wednesday, the exact time Hamas and other militant Palestinian groups launched their assault three years ago. The October 7, 2023 attack killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians including women and children, and resulted in 251 people being taken hostage.

Memorial events took place throughout the country. At the Nova music festival near Re'im, where over 300 people were killed, families gathered at dawn to pay tribute to those who died. Similar remembrances occurred at kibbutzim in southern Israel close to the Gaza border that were among the first communities to be attacked. In Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square, a fountain was dyed blood red and adorned with photos, flowers and messages. An art installation depicting 1,200 human figures with the words 'Total Failure' appeared on a beach overnight.

Protest activity marked the anniversary alongside official commemorations. In Tel Aviv, protesters blocked traffic with silent vigils holding signs with messages including 'The people will remember their sons and daughters' and 'a complete failure'. Some signs featured pictures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next to the word 'Guilty'.

In Jerusalem, relatives of hostages and those killed gathered at the Knesset, the parliament, alleging the government had abandoned them by prioritising military operations in Gaza over negotiating a settlement with Hamas. Public demands centred on accountability from the Israeli state through an independent inquiry into the security and intelligence failures that allowed the attacks to occur.

The Metro reports that the anniversary is more tense than previous years after it was revealed earlier this year that Netanyahu allegedly received a warning before the attacks from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt but did not act. Netanyahu declared the report an 'absolute lie'. The Prime Minister faces mounting criticism from within Israel ahead of elections later this month.

CBS News spoke with a 15-year-old Israeli living in Netiv HaAsara, the community closest to the Gaza border, who described watching Hamas militants on paragliders cross the border wall on October 7. He said the experience felt like 'some kind of nightmare' and recalled taking shelter in his family's bomb shelter during the 11-hour assault, during which 17 of his neighbours were killed. Like thousands of other Israelis, his family was displaced, spending extended periods in hotels and other towns before returning home over a year ago.

How it is being reported

• October 7: Israelis mark three years since Hamas attacksIsrael is marking the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Wednesday with memorials across the country. At the site of the Nova music festival, where more than 300 people were killed, families gathered at dawn for a moment of silence and paid tribute in front of portraits both of festival-goers and security forces who died on October 7.France 24 · 7 Oct, 12:04
• How grandparents saved family at Israeli kibbutz during Hamas Oct. 7 attack | 60 Minutes ArchiveIsraeli grandparents jumped into action to save their family during Hamas' deadly incursion three years ago. They shared the harrowing rescue story with Lesley Stahl. (166 out of 200 max characters)CBS News · 7 Oct, 12:00
• Israeli papers commemorate October 7 attacks, three years onPRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, October 7: Papers commemorate the three-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks. But first: the high school protests that have swept across France make the front pages at home and abroad. Also, the Argentinian press waves off Lionel Messi after his last international match. Finally, a British adventurer completes a 28-year walk around the world.France 24 · 7 Oct, 11:55
• Israel remembers October 7 attacks years on as protests formFamilies and friends of the victims are paying their respects (Picture: Getty) Thousands of Israelis are mourning today to mark the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. It has been three years since thousands of Hamas-led militants poured into southern Israel after a surprise barrage of…Metro · 7 Oct, 11:44
• How Israeli and Palestinian kids are coping 3 years after Oct. 7, 2023CBS News asks two teenagers, one from either side of the Israel-Gaza border, how their lives have changed since the Hamas attack three years ago.CBS News · 7 Oct, 11:38
• How Israeli and Palestinian kids are coping 3 years after Oct. 7, 2023CBS News asked two teenagers, one from either side of the Israel-Gaza border, how their lives have changed since the Hamas attack three years ago that sparked the war in the Gaza Strip. CBS News' Tina Kraus has their stories.CBS News · 7 Oct, 11:34
• Israel marks three years since Hamas's October 7 attackIsrael marks the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Wednesday, just weeks before an election in which the deadliest day in the country's history will be front and centre. Memorial events are planned throughout the day to pay tribute to the scores of people killed by militants led by the Islamist movement during their assault from Gaza. For more, FRANCE 24's Stuart Norval is joined by journalist Uri Schneider, reporting from Jerusalem.France 24 · 7 Oct, 11:24
• Israel marks third anniversary of October 7th attacksAcross Israel, people observed a minute's silence, kicking off events marking the anniversary of atrocities three years ago in which about 1,200 died.UPI · 7 Oct, 11:23
• Israel marks three years since October 7 Hamas attack – in picturesIsraelis gather across the country to mourn victims of the deadliest attacks on Jews since the HolocaustThe i Paper · 7 Oct, 09:39

In this story: Israel · Hamas · Benjamin Netanyahu · Gaza · Nova music festival · United Arab Emirates · Egypt · Knesset

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