Israel Marks October 7 Attack Anniversary

Israelis marked the third anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack with ceremonies, moments of silence and tributes, including events at the Nova festival site and Kfar Aza and a national memorial in Tel Aviv organized by survivors and bereaved families; the attack killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. The anniversary came less than three weeks before Israel’s October 27 election, with voters weighing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the attack and calls for an independent inquiry; one report said 68% of voters viewed October 7 as a significant factor in their vote. Netanyahu said Hamas would not govern Gaza and vowed to pursue those involved in the attacks or holding hostages. Amid a ceasefire that began last year, Israel carried out new strikes in Gaza, where local health authorities say more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began; Israel has paid NIS 38.6 billion in war-damage compensation across about 1.18 million claims, and the Compensation Fund’s balance has fallen by more than 80%. In Sydney, Jewish community members held a dawn vigil at Bondi Pavilion, while planned pro-Palestinian commemorations in Sydney, Wollongong and Melbourne drew condemnation from Jewish groups and politicians, although officials said they were legally permitted; the vigil was held near the site of a December attack that killed 15 people at a Jewish festival. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned Hamas and mourned Israeli victims while accusing Israel of genocide and other abuses in Gaza and criticizing U.S. support, remarks that drew sharp criticism from the Anti-Defamation League; Israel’s national football team also planned to wear black armbands marked “7.10” in a Nations League match against Ireland amid political tension and protests at the teams’ previous meeting.