Israel will mark the third anniversary of the Hamas attack that occurred on 7 October 2023 on Wednesday. Memorial events are scheduled throughout the day to pay tribute to the numerous people killed by militants from the Islamist movement during their assault from Gaza.
The defence minister stated on Tuesday that he had placed the military on high alert due to intelligence suggesting Hamas intended to carry out attacks against troops in Gaza on the anniversary. Palestinian fighters breached the border, storming southern Israel with gunfire, rockets, and grenades, which resulted in 1,221 deaths.
During the assault, militants also moved 251 hostages into Gaza, of whom 44 were already deceased. A tribute is due to take place at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border, where militants killed 64 residents and abducted 18 people.
Another event is set at the Nova music festival site in southern Israel, where militants killed over 370 people and took dozens of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would not govern Gaza and promised to continue targeting anyone involved in the October 7 attack or who held hostages.
Israel reports that it controls more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. The massive military offensive launched by Israel has left most of Gaza in ruins and has killed more than 74,200 people.
Since the ceasefire, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,430 people in Gaza.
