Three years ago today, Israel awoke to one of the darkest days in its modern history.

At approximately 6:29 a.m. on October 7, 2023, thousands of Hamas-led terrorists breached the Gaza border under the cover of a massive rocket barrage. They attacked communities, military bases and the Nova music festival, murdering approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 others to Gaza. The assault triggered a war that would reshape Israel, the region and Jewish communities around the world.

As Israel marks the third anniversary, the consequences of that morning remain deeply felt. The country is still mourning those who were murdered, caring for tens of thousands of wounded soldiers and security personnel, and rebuilding communities devastated by the attack.

The Morning Israel Was Overrun

The assault began with rockets fired toward southern and central Israel. At the same time, Hamas used drones to target surveillance equipment and other components of Israel’s border defenses before terrorists breached the security fence at multiple locations.

Terrorists poured into southern communities, including Be’eri, Kfar Aza, Nir Oz, Nahal Oz, Kissufim, Sderot and Ofakim.

At the Nova festival near Re’im, thousands of young people suddenly found themselves under attack. As the gathering was shut down and attendees attempted to flee, terrorists positioned themselves along roads and escape routes, firing at vehicles and people attempting to hide.

Among those caught in the attack were Hersh Goldberg-Polin HY”D, Eliya Cohen and Or Levy, who were later taken hostage.

One of the most recognizable images from that morning showed Noa Argamani being taken away on a motorcycle. She would remain in captivity for months before being rescued during an Israeli special forces operation in June 2024.

In Kfar Aza, photographer Roi Idan HY”D documented Hamas terrorists entering the community before he was murdered. His wife, Smadar HY”D, was also killed. Their young daughter Abigail was abducted and later became one of the most widely known child hostages.

Across the Gaza border communities, families were trapped inside safe rooms while terrorists moved from house to house.

By the afternoon, Israeli security forces were gradually regaining control of the communities, but the scale of the devastation was becoming clear.

A Day of Mass Murder and Abductions

The attack ultimately left approximately 1,200 people dead, including civilians, soldiers, police officers and other security personnel. More than 250 people were initially taken hostage, with the official total later established at 251.

The victims included babies, children, elderly people, young adults attending the Nova festival and members of the security forces who fought to defend the communities.

Among the victims was Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council head Ofir Libstein HY”D, who was killed while responding to the attack.

Ronen Engel HY”D was killed while defending his family, and his body was taken to Gaza. His wife Karina and daughters Mika and Yuval were also abducted.

Carmel Gat HY”D was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. Her mother Kinneret was murdered, while other members of the family were also caught in the attack.

Three-year-old Abigail Idan was abducted after her father Roi was murdered. Abigail, along with Hagar Brodutch and her three children, was eventually released during the November 2023 hostage deal.

The first hostages were released on October 20, when Judith and Natalie Raanan were freed. Additional releases followed, including Yocheved Lifshitz and Nurit Cooper.

On October 30, IDF and Shin Bet forces rescued Pvt. Ori Magidish, a surveillance soldier who had been abducted from the Nahal Oz base.

The Hostage Crisis

The hostage crisis became one of the defining elements of the war.

From November 24 through November 30, a temporary ceasefire resulted in the release of 105 hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Fighting resumed afterward, while negotiations and military operations continued simultaneously.

Israel subsequently carried out several dramatic rescue missions.

In February 2024, Yamam, Shin Bet and IDF forces rescued Fernando Marman and Louis Har from a building in Rafah.

Four months later, on June 8, Israeli forces carried out Operation Arnon, rescuing Noa Argamani, Almog Meir Jan, Shlomi Ziv and Andrey Kozlov from Nuseirat.

In August, Farhan al-Qadi was rescued from a tunnel in southern Gaza.

But many hostages did not survive.

In September 2024, Israel announced that Hersh Goldberg-Polin HY”D, Ori Danino HY”D, Eden Yerushalmi, Alex Lobanov HY”D, Almog Sarusi HY”D and Carmel Gat HY”D had been murdered by their captors shortly before Israeli forces located their bodies.

A second major hostage agreement took effect in January 2025, eventually resulting in the release of dozens of hostages and the return of additional bodies.

Among the most painful moments came with the return of Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir. Their bodies were returned to Israel after it was determined that they had been murdered in captivity.

The Final Hostage

The hostage ordeal finally reached its conclusion in January 2026.

Master Sgt. Ran Gvili HY”D, an Israel Police special patrol officer and the final hostage remaining in Gaza, was located and brought back to Israel on January 26.

His return marked the end of more than two years in which the fate of 251 abducted people had remained at the center of Israel’s national consciousness.

The War in Gaza

Israel’s military response began immediately after the October 7 attack and developed into a prolonged campaign against Hamas.

The IDF launched its large-scale ground operation in northern Gaza on October 27, 2023. Fighting subsequently spread throughout the Gaza Strip, including major operations in Khan Younis and Rafah.

Israel also targeted Hamas’s senior leadership. Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an Israeli strike in July 2024, while Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed by Israeli troops in Rafah in October 2024.

The fighting continued into 2025, including a renewed Israeli offensive following the collapse of a ceasefire.

Israel also conducted operations targeting Hamas leadership outside Gaza, including a September 2025 strike against senior Hamas officials meeting in Doha, Qatar.

Eventually, an internationally mediated agreement brought the large-scale fighting in Gaza to an end and led to the release of the final living hostages.

Israeli forces subsequently shifted from the large-scale campaign toward continued security operations and targeted strikes against Hamas personnel.

According to Israeli officials, approximately 4,000 of the estimated 6,000 terrorists who entered Israel during the October 7 assault have since been killed. IDF Military Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder said roughly 2,000 remain, adding that Israel intends to pursue them.

The Human Cost in Israel

The war has left an enormous physical and psychological toll on Israeli soldiers and security personnel.

Israel’s Defense Ministry said this week that approximately 30,000 wounded soldiers and members of the security forces have entered its Rehabilitation Department since October 7.

Approximately 63% are dealing with psychological consequences, while 47% of the wounded are under 30 and 62% are reservists. The department currently treats 91,200 people from Israel’s wars and military operations, including approximately 42,500 dealing with mental-health conditions or PTSD.

Among those wounded since October 7 are 63 people classified with 100%+ disability, 249 with complex head injuries, 29 with permanent blindness or serious visual impairment and 106 amputees.

The Defense Ministry estimates that the rehabilitation system could be treating approximately 100,000 people by 2028, with about half requiring mental-health care.

The government has expanded psychological treatment, rehabilitation programs, specialized facilities and other support services in response to the unprecedented number of wounded.

A Nation Still Living With October 7

The attack also left a lasting civilian toll. Israel’s National Insurance Institute reports that 1,029 Israeli civilians have been murdered in terrorist attacks since the beginning of the war, including 778 people killed on October 7 itself. Tens of thousands of additional civilians have been recognized as victims of hostile actions.

The physical destruction was concentrated in the communities surrounding Gaza, but the impact reached virtually every part of Israeli society.

Families lost parents and children. Thousands of soldiers returned home wounded. Hostage families spent months and years waiting for news. Survivors of the massacre continue to deal with trauma. Entire communities were displaced and forced to rebuild.

And for Jewish communities worldwide, October 7 became a defining moment — remembered through the names of the murdered, the hostages, the fallen soldiers and the countless people whose lives were permanently changed.

Three years later, Israel continues to commemorate those who were lost on that morning.

May the neshamos of all those brutally murdered have an aliyah, and may the memories of the victims and the courage of those who fought to save others never be forgotten.

יהי זכרם ברוך.