On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Israelis held memorials and protests to mark 1,000 days since the deadly October 7 Hamas attack, which ignited the ongoing war in Gaza. Many citizens are demanding a state commission of inquiry to investigate the government's failures in preventing the attack and its aftermath, during which 251 hostages were taken to Gaza.
Commemorations and Protests Across Israel
Across the nation, somber ceremonies took place, with protests emerging against the government's handling of the incident. The first gathering started at 6:29 AM (0329 GMT), coinciding with the exact moment the attack began. Thousands of demonstrators convened at 'Hostages Square' in Tel Aviv, expressing their discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and calling for accountability.
“What weighs on me most is the fact that even now, 1,000 days after the event, we are still in the middle of it,” said Dina Hertz, a Jerusalem resident. She emphasized the need for a genuine inquiry and acknowledgment of responsibility by officials in charge during the attack.
Calls for a State Commission of Inquiry
Many Israelis, including families of victims, are advocating for a formal state commission to examine the security lapses that led to the October 7 attack. Eyal Eshel, father of a soldier killed in the attack, lamented the absence of an independent investigation, stating, “For a thousand days, we have continued counting until a state commission of inquiry is established.”
