Israel marks 7 October anniversary under heightened security
Memorial events are planned across the country three weeks before a general election, as a fragile Gaza ceasefire and security concerns shape the anniversary.
Israel is marking three years since the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack with memorial events planned across the country. The commemorations come three weeks before a general election, where the attack is expected to remain a central issue, and are the first since a ceasefire began in Gaza last October.
A tribute is scheduled at Kibbutz Kfar Aza at 06:29, the time the attack began. Events are also planned at the Nova festival site and in a Tel Aviv park. The France 24 report says 64 people were killed and 18 abducted at Kfar Aza; more than 370 were killed at the festival site.
Security has been heightened. Israel’s defence minister said the military was on high alert over intelligence about possible Hamas attacks against troops in Gaza on the anniversary. The report does not confirm whether the planned events proceeded or whether any attack occurred.
At state ceremonies on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas would not rule Gaza and vowed to continue targeting people involved in the attack or hostage-taking.
An AFP tally based on official Israeli figures puts the 2023 attack’s death toll at 1,221, with 251 hostages taken. Gaza’s health ministry reports more than 74,200 deaths in Israel’s subsequent offensive; the ministry is under Hamas authority, and the United Nations considers its figures reliable.
The ceasefire remains fragile. Gaza’s health ministry says Israeli forces have killed more than 1,430 people since it began. The report describes humanitarian conditions as dire and reconstruction as largely stalled.
