The Oct. 7 Attack Anniversary Brings Mourning for Israelis, While Palestinians
In southern Israel, families of the affected hold mourning ceremonies at busy intersections, in bomb shelters, and at the site of the Nova music festival, where Hamas-led militants broke through three years ago in the deadliest attack in the country's modern history. This commemoration is special because, for the first time, all hostages have been released and returned home, marking a new stage in the complex process of collective grief. For the Palestinian community, this day marks another moment in which they must coexist with the aftermath of Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands. Of a total population of approximately two million, most live in vast tents and dire conditions, while large parts of cities in the strip have been turned into a wasteland of rubble.
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Israel Marks Three Years Since the October 7 Hamas AttacksOver half the territory remains under Israeli military control, and although a ceasefire agreement was reached nearly a year ago, Israeli aerial and ground strikes continue almost daily. For the region, this day highlights a dramatic transformation unfolding over the three years since the crisis began. Israeli troops occupy a significant area in southern Lebanon within the conflict with Hezbollah, the group that began firing toward Israel in 2023 in support of Hamas.
Iran and the United States are locked in an intense confrontation, marked by attacks in Arab Gulf countries and which has destabilized the global economy—a conflict Israel contributed to initiating and which the Gaza war prepared the ground for, even if the two were not directly connected. A Released Hostage Experiences His First Anniversary Home Elkana Bohbot, 37, is celebrating this anniversary in Israel for the first time after being released last year from captivity that lasted 738 days. He said that for much of his time in captivity, he was held 50 meters (165 feet) underground in a dark, damp tunnel. Bohbot, who was seized at the Nova music festival, was imprisoned in a small cell with other hostages, given very little food, and allowed to wash only every few weeks, according to his account.
His captors forced him to participate in several propaganda videos
His captors forced him to participate in several propaganda videos, including one in which he pretended to make a fake phone call to his family. In the 11 months since his release, Bohbot has gone through a process of physical and emotional recovery, written a book, begun a speaking career, traveled with his family, and celebrated all the holidays and birthdays he missed during captivity. In August, his wife Rivka gave birth to a daughter, fulfilling a firm promise Bohbot made to himself in the tunnels: to give his five-year-old son Reem a brother or sister.
The newborn, Michele, „is not a symbol for my people, but rather a symbol for the enemy,”Bohbot told the Associated Press. „Thus, this child is our message to you: we were here and we will be here forever.” Palestinians Assess the Damage in Gaza No specific events are expected in Gaza on Wednesday, where the Israeli offensive devastated the narrow strip and displaced approximately 90% of the population, often multiple times. Restrictions on the entry of goods and aid have contributed to a severe hunger crisis. According to the territory's Health Ministry, over 74,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. Although the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its statistics, it maintains that approximately half of the victims were women and children. The ministry's data, which is part of the Hamas-led government, are generally considered credible by UN agencies and independent experts.
Although a ceasefire took effect on October 10, halting the most intense fighting, Israeli strikes have continued, targeting what Israel describes as Hamas militants. Since the ceasefire took hold, 1,145 Palestinians have been killed, according to ministry figures. Seven Israeli soldiers have died in the same period. Hamas presented the Oct. 7 attack as a reaction to decades of Israeli military occupation, land confiscations, and settlement construction. However, the Palestinians' dream of establishing an independent state now seems more distant than ever. The Anniversary in a Radically Changed Middle East An electoral dispute in Israel, scheduled for the end of the month, is creating uncertainties around this anniversary. Official government mourning ceremonies took place on October 5, bringing them closer to the Hebrew calendar date of the attack, rather than the Gregorian date.
