Ceremonies, memorials and protests were held at more than 400 sites as Israel reached three years since the Hamas-led attack that killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Israel marked three years since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, with ceremonies, memorials and protests at more than 400 locations, CNN reported. The attack began at 6:29 a.m. and killed more than 1,200 people, with 251 taken hostage. CNN said most Wednesday commemorations were organised by survivors and victims' groups, including the October Council and the Kumu movement, rather than as official state ceremonies.
At the United Nations, acting special coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov said the pain of that morning remains present, describing murders, sexual violence and hostage-taking. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told a UN event that this was the first October 7 commemoration since every hostage had been brought out, the living returned and the dead buried. He cited Security Council resolution 2803 as a framework for a Gaza without Hamas rule.
CNN said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting that Israel had killed 4,000 of 6,000 militants who infiltrated on October 7, 2023, and that Israel would reach the rest, amid near-daily strikes in Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza says more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. A Sydney Morning Herald account said about 1,500 more had been killed by Israeli fire since a US-brokered ceasefire began about a year ago, citing local health authorities.
Waltz said a year earlier 48 hostages, including two Americans, were still held. Those figures describe the change since the last anniversary, not a new hostage release on Wednesday.
No new ceasefire term was announced with the memorials. Netanyahu's cabinet remarks pointed to continued strikes rather than an end to the war.
People Sentiments Negative
- Ramiz Alakbarov said the pain and trauma of October 7 remain deeply present.
- Mike Waltz said every hostage is now out, the living returned and the dead buried.