Three Years After October 7: Israel Pauses to Remember as Trauma Remains Raw

Israelis on Wednesday marked three years since the October 7 Hamas attacks, a milestone that has done little to soften a national wound that remains as open and painful as it was in the immediate aftermath of the assault. Across the country, ceremonies, moments of silence and gatherings were held to honor the victims and to acknowledge the scale of loss that continues to shape Israeli public life.

The anniversary falls on a date that has become a defining marker in Israel's modern history. Three years on, the events of that day are still processed not as a closed chapter but as an ongoing reality, with families of victims, survivors of the attacks and entire communities carrying the weight of what happened. The passage of time has not produced the distance that ordinarily accompanies commemorations; instead, it has underscored how deeply the trauma has been embedded in the national consciousness.

France 24 broadcast footage and reporting from Israel on the day of the commemoration, capturing a country engaged in collective remembrance. The coverage emphasized that the trauma remains vivid, a sentiment echoed in the way Israelis observed the anniversary — not as a historical review, but as a lived, present experience. For many, the date is not simply about what occurred three years ago but about the ongoing consequences that continue to unfold.

The attacks of October 7, 2023, were carried out by Hamas and resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities. In addition, around 250 people were taken hostage and dragged into Gaza, an act that triggered an Israeli military campaign and a prolonged hostage crisis that has dominated Israeli political and social life ever since. Three years later, the fate of those taken captive remains a central and agonizing question for their families and for the wider public.

The commemorations come at a moment when Israeli society is still contending with the multiple layers of the tragedy. Beyond the immediate loss of life, there is the enduring uncertainty surrounding hostages, the displacement of communities near the Gaza border, and the psychological toll borne by survivors, first responders and soldiers. The anniversary provided a focal point for those grievances and griefs, but it also highlighted how unresolved many of these issues remain.

In the years since the attacks, the events of October 7 have been the subject of extensive documentation and testimony. Survivors have recounted their experiences in detail, and investigative bodies have examined the failures that allowed the attack to take place. These accounts have become part of the public record, ensuring that the individual stories behind the casualty figures are not lost. The third anniversary offered another occasion to reaffirm the importance of remembrance and of learning the lessons of that day.

The regional context has also shifted considerably in the three years since the assault. The attack and the ensuing war in Gaza reshaped Israel's security posture, its international relationships and its domestic politics. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences across the Middle East, affecting Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq, and drawing in a range of state and non-state actors. Against that backdrop, the anniversary is not merely a national event but one with significant regional and international resonance.

For Israel's leadership, the anniversary has been an occasion to emphasize the country's resolve and to reaffirm its commitment to security. Official statements have stressed the importance of national unity and the imperative of preventing a repeat of October 7. Yet the commemoration has also exposed continuing debates within Israeli society about responsibility, strategy and the direction the country should take in the years ahead.

Families of the hostages have used the anniversary to press for greater efforts to secure the release of those still held in Gaza. Their campaigns have been a persistent feature of Israeli public life, and the third anniversary gave them another platform to demand action. The plight of the hostages has become one of the most emotive and politically charged issues in Israel, and the commemorations inevitably centered on their fate.

Psychologists and trauma specialists have noted that anniversaries can be particularly difficult for survivors and bereaved families. The recurrence of the date can trigger memories and intensify grief, even as it provides a structure for collective mourning. In Israel, mental health services have reported sustained demand for support since the attacks, reflecting the scale of the psychological impact that extends well beyond those directly affected.

The third anniversary also prompted reflection on how the events of October 7 are remembered and taught. Educational initiatives, memorial projects and documentation efforts have sought to preserve the testimonies of survivors and to ensure that future generations understand what happened. These efforts reflect a belief that remembrance is not only an act of respect for the victims but also a safeguard against forgetting the circumstances that led to the attack.

Internationally, the anniversary was marked by statements of solidarity with Israel and by renewed attention to the broader conflict that followed the attack. Governments and organizations reiterated their positions on the war in Gaza, the hostage crisis and the humanitarian situation, underscoring how the events of October 7 continue to shape global debates. The date has become a reference point in international discussions about the Middle East, invoked by leaders and commentators across the political spectrum.

Within Israel, the commemoration was characterized by a mix of solemnity, grief and unresolved anger. The trauma of October 7 has not receded with time; if anything, its complexity has become more apparent as the consequences unfold. Three years on, Israelis are still living with the aftermath — the loss, the uncertainty, the security concerns and the political divisions that the attack laid bare. The anniversary was, for many, less a moment of closure than a reminder of how much remains unresolved.

As the day of remembrance drew to a close, the prevailing sentiment in Israel was one of endurance. The country has marked a grim milestone, but the wounds it reflects are still healing. The trauma of October 7, as France 24's reporting made clear, is not a distant memory but a continuing reality — one that will shape Israel's identity, its politics and its place in the region for years to come.