Israel pays tribute to victims of the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7

Israel commemorates victims of the October 7th attack October 7, 2026 Israel commemorates this Wednesday (10/7/2026) the victims of the terrorist attack perpetrated three years ago by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, just before elections marked by the memory of those events of October 7, 2023, the deadliest day in the country's history. On that day, 1,221 people were murdered in Israel by Hamas terrorists with firearms, rockets, and grenades. In the same location of the Nova music festival, where terrorists of that pro-Iranian organization infiltrated on that day of 2023, families bowed their heads in a moment of silence at 6:29 AM (3:29 GMT), surrounded by portraits of victims and flowers. A moment of reflection was also observed in the kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the border with Gaza, where 64 people were killed and 18 were kidnapped during the fateful siege. Meanwhile, authorities in Gaza indicated that at least two people died in Israeli night attacks against the territory, which was turned into rubble by the relentless campaign of Israeli Army retaliation for Hamas's attacks. Israel plans to celebrate commemorative events throughout the day to remember the victims of October 7th. For example, families plan to celebrate a gathering in the evening in a Tel Aviv square. On October 7, 2023, Palestinian fighters from Hamas crossed the border and attacked southern Israel with firearms, rockets, and grenades, killing 1,221 people, according to a count based on Israeli official figures. Hamas members also took 251 hostages taken to Gaza, of whom 44 were dead. Commemorations with reinforced security in Israel The commemorations take on a special dimension this year as they are the first since the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory devastated by Israel's military retaliation, came into force last year. Official events were held in Jerusalem on Monday (10/5/2026), a date set by the government according to the Jewish calendar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in the activity. The events are held under reinforced security, three weeks before the general elections in Israel and one week after the failed attack on a plane bound for Tel Aviv. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that the Israeli Army was on alert due to "intelligence information about Hamas's intentions to carry out attacks and terrorist operations" for the anniversary. Israel will hold general elections on October 27th for the first time since the attacks, and polls anticipate a difficult contest for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has launched the massive offensive against Gaza and attacks against Lebanon and Iran over the last three years. One of his rivals is Naftali Bennett, a former prime minister who accuses Netanyahu of not having prevented the attacks. "This was a colossal failure of the State of Israel, which was founded to defend the Jews in our land," Bennett declared to journalists at the Nova festival site. "But during those minutes, young men and women from all over Israel came to fight, protect, and save the lives of their brothers and sisters, and a generation of heroes emerged. We owe this incredible generation to rebuild our country, to make it stronger," Bennett expressed. CP (afp, rtr) Do not let the algorithm hide the news. If you trust this site for reliable information, please take a moment to select us as your preferred source on Google: click here and check the box or press the DW.com button to always see our verified news in your preferences.