Israel Marks Third Anniversary of October 7 Attacks Amid Calls for Accountability

Memorial events were held across Israel on Wednesday to mark the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attack that sparked the war in Gaza. Families gathered at sites where about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. The somber commemorations were accompanied by demands for accountability for the security failures that allowed the attack to happen. In response to the October 7 assault, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza that has killed more than 74,200 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are seen as reliable by the UN. The staggering death toll has drawn international criticism and fueled debates over Israel's military strategy. As Israel reflects on the tragedy, questions persist about how such a large-scale attack could have occurred despite extensive security infrastructure. The anniversary serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing conflict and the deep divisions it has created both within Israel and internationally. Calls for a thorough investigation into the failures continue to grow.