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Israel marks attack anniversary that killed 1,200
Memorials marked three years since the Hamas-led attack as bereaved families pressed for answers on security failures.
What happened
Israel held ceremonies on the third anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, including moments of silence at Reim’s Nova festival site and Kfar Aza. The attack killed about 1,200 people and led to 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. Some mourners renewed calls for accountability over security failures.
Numbers
- 1,200people killed in Israel — Approximate toll reported
- 251hostages taken to Gaza
- 3 yearsbetween attack and memorials
Questions
- Where did people gather to mourn?
- Reim’s festival grounds and Kfar Aza held silences, while families also mourned at intersections and bomb shelters in southern Israel.
- What changed for hostage families?
- It was the first anniversary since all hostages had returned, a change ABC described as opening a new stage of grief.
- Why are mourners seeking accountability?
- Three years after the attack, Israel still had no independent state inquiry into how the security failure had been allowed to occur.
- Which election issue does it raise?
- The memorials came weeks before parliamentary elections, as Netanyahu campaigned on being stronger and tougher at protecting Israel from enemies.
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The catch
Coverage gives different death tolls and has not shown why the security failures occurred.
Toll estimates vary slightly.