Israel has begun commemorating the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks with national memorial ceremonies and official events across the country.
Flags were lowered to half-mast at the President’s Residence and the Knesset as Israel observed its National Memorial Day for those killed in the attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog attended an official state ceremony in Jerusalem on Monday to honour fallen soldiers and commemorate the victims of the October 7 attacks.
About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, while 251 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.
The attack triggered the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed since the conflict began.
Speaking at the memorial ceremony, Netanyahu said Hamas would not govern Gaza and vowed to pursue those involved in the October 7 attacks and the hostage-taking.
“In Gaza, there will be no rule by Hamas,” Netanyahu said.
“Anyone who was involved in the attack against us, anyone who held our hostages, is living on borrowed time. We will reach him, just as we reached the others.”
The commemorations were expected to continue throughout Monday, with additional official ceremonies scheduled in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel to remember those killed in the attacks and subsequent conflict.
