Israel, Oct 07 : Two years ago, on October 7, during the closing of the Jewish festival of Sukkot, Hamas militants launched a surprise assault on Israel, marking the bloodiest day in the nation’s history. Armed militants breached the Gaza-Israel border, attacking southern Israeli communities and a desert music festival with gunfire, rockets, and grenades.
The assault killed over a thousand people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages into Gaza, of whom 48 remain in captivity, including 25 declared dead by the Israeli military. The attack coincided with Simchat Torah and caught the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) off guard, as intelligence warnings were reportedly dismissed and troop deployments were minimal due to the Sabbath and holiday.
Across Israel, memorial events are being held to honor the victims. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the military to raise its alert to the highest level throughout the ongoing Sukkot holiday, which began Monday evening, with the first full day coinciding with the grim anniversary.
Since the attack, Israel has significantly escalated military operations, striking targets across five regional capitals, including Tehran, and eliminating senior Hamas figures along with Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Both Israel and Hamas are now under mounting global pressure to end the war.
Amid renewed diplomatic efforts, US President Donald Trump recently unveiled a 20-point peace plan calling for an immediate ceasefire upon Hamas releasing all hostages, followed by disarmament and phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Indirect negotiations began on Monday in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, with mediators shuttling between the delegations under heavy security. While both sides have welcomed the proposal, achieving consensus on its complex terms remains a formidable challenge.
This commemoration serves as a stark reminder of the October 7 Hamas attack and its lasting impact on Israel’s national security and civilian life.