Israelis gathered on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages, an event that ignited a catastrophic war in Gaza still affecting Palestinians today.
In southern Israel, relatives of victims held memorials at road intersections, bomb shelters, and the Nova music festival site near Kibbutz Reim, where Hamas-led militants carried out the deadliest assault on Israeli soil. This year’s commemoration carries a distinct milestone: it is the first anniversary since all remaining hostages were returned to Israel, introducing a complex new phase of grief for families.
For Palestinians, the date underscores a grim reality shaped by Israel’s retaliatory military campaign. Tens of thousands have been killed, and roughly half of Gaza’s population of 2 million remains housed in inadequate tent camps. Large sections of the territory’s urban centers lie in ruins, and despite a ceasefire agreement reached nearly a year prior, Israeli airstrikes persist on an almost daily basis.
The anniversary also highlights the broader geopolitical shifts over the past three years. Israeli forces continue to occupy significant portions of southern Lebanon amid conflicts with Hezbollah, which began shelling Israel in 2023 in solidarity with Hamas. Additionally, heightened tensions between Iran and the United States have led to attacks across Arab Gulf nations, destabilizing the global economy—a regional fracture that the Gaza war helped facilitate.
Among those returning to mark the occasion is Elkana Bohbot, 37, who was freed last year after enduring 738 days in captivity. Bohbot, who was kidnapped from the Nova festival, described being held in dark, damp tunnels approximately 50 meters underground. He reported being confined in small cells with minimal food and infrequent bathing, while captors forced him to participate in propaganda videos, including a staged telephone call to his family.
Since his release, Bohbot has completed physical and psychological rehabilitation, authored a book, launched a speaking tour, and reconnected with his family. In August, his wife, Rivka, gave birth to a daughter named Michele, fulfilling a pledge Bohbot made while imprisoned to provide his 5-year-old son, Reem, with a sibling.
Reflecting on his child’s significance, Bohbot told the Associated Press that Michele is not a symbol for his people, but rather a message directed at adversaries. “She is more of a symbol for the enemy,” he said. “This child is the message for you that we were here, and we will always be here forever.”
Meanwhile, in Gaza, residents continue to inspect sites of early morning Israeli airstrikes, such as one recorded in Gaza City on Oct. 3, 2026, illustrating the persistent danger facing civilians in the strip.
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