JERUSALEM, Israel: Three years after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Israelis marked the anniversary with vigils and memorial events as the conflict's impact continues to shape the country and Gaza.

The Hamas-led attack killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage in Gaza. It was the deadliest day in Israel's history and led to a major Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

On October 7, Israelis gathered at the site of the Nova music festival near the Gaza border, where 348 young people were killed during the Hamas attack.

A separate anniversary event was held at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, which had become a central meeting place for families and supporters campaigning for the release of hostages.

This year's anniversary is the first since no Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. All the hostages, both living and dead, were returned through exchanges with Hamas for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The remains of the last Israeli hostage were recovered in January.

Election Adds Political Pressure

The anniversary comes only 20 days before Israel's first election since the October 7 attack. The vote is widely seen as a test of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long period in power.

Netanyahu has rejected responsibility for the security failure that allowed the attack to happen and has opposed calls for an independent investigation. His position has angered many Israelis, including families of people killed in the attack. Some relatives have since entered the election campaign.

A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 68 percent of Jewish Israelis considered the events of October 7 either a very important or fairly important factor in deciding which party to support.

Current election surveys show that neither Netanyahu nor his main rivals would have enough parliamentary seats to form a government if an election were held today.

Ceasefire Remains Fragile

The anniversary also comes one year after a US-brokered ceasefire agreement reached on October 10, 2025. The deal ended major fighting but has not stopped Israeli attacks in Gaza or secured the disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups.

Israel initially controlled about 53 percent of Gaza under the agreement. Israeli forces have since expanded that area to almost two-thirds of the territory. Hamas controls the remaining area, where most of Gaza's population of about two million people lives in tents and damaged buildings.

US President Donald Trump has proposed several plans through his so-called "Board of Peace" to rebuild Gaza. However, the proposals have not won support from either Israel or Hamas. Critics have also said the plans do not properly address the property rights of Palestinians whose homes were destroyed.

Israel and Hamas remain divided over the next stage of the ceasefire. The proposed agreement would involve Hamas giving up its weapons in return for the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israel has said it will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms. Hamas has said it accepts a phased process but refuses to disarm while Israeli attacks continue.

Israeli forces have continued bombing Gaza, killing Hamas militants in recent months. Gaza health authorities say civilians have also been killed, although their figures do not separate civilian deaths from those of combatants.