Israelis mark three years since 7 October attacks

Celia Hatton (0:00)

This is The Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Celia Hatton, and at 13 Hours GMT on Wednesday, October 7th, these are our main stories. Israel marks three years since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7th, while Gaza counts the cost. Ukrainian officials say at least 20 people were killed overnight after Russian missiles and drones pounded residential buildings, industrial facilities and infrastructure. And two scientists are named this year's winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for solving a mystery about how molecules are made.

Also in this podcast, the men in South Africa trying to break the cycle of violence against women.

Homotso Mateka (0:45)

I remember myself grabbing hair, slapping hair. Yeah, I was so aggressive. And seeing what's happening around the world, I feel much more pain. I feel like I have contributed to what's happening.

Celia Hatton (1:01)

It's October 7th, the anniversary of a day when things changed for many in the Middle East. Today marks three years since Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched a brutal attack on Israel. In total, around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken as hostages, making it the single deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza, triggering a war in which more than 74,000 to 200 Palestinians have been killed. That's according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Across Israel, there have been a number of memorial events marking the anniversary. Bereaved relatives gathered at the site of the Nova Music Festival, where hundreds of Israelis were gunned down.

SPEAKER_3 (1:54)

This is the last place where Sean was, and I feel him here. I'm terribly sorry I couldn't save him. I couldn't help him get out of this massacre. I miss him so much, and this place does something to me. Despite the fact that it takes a lot of energy from me, my family and our friends, I feel together with him here.

SPEAKER_4 (2:13)

I remember the moment that she called and asked to come and take her because there were missiles in the air. And I remember the second call. She called us from the road and screaming that they're shooting at her. Then we saw bodies on the floor, and we saw things that you can forget.

Celia Hatton (2:32)

Our Middle East correspondent Yolan Nel has also been to the site.

Yolan Nel (2:35)

We've seen many moving scenes here of bereaved parents cleaning and putting candles to the memorials of their lost loved ones. Right behind me is the dance floor of the NOVA Festival. It was turned into really a killing field three years ago today. Now it's been transformed into a memorial. And for each of those people who were killed, mostly Israelis in their 20s and 30s who had just come here for a party at the end of the Jewish holidays, there have been big sort of posts put up which have their names, their stories and pictures of them. And we have seen buses of young Israelis coming here, some of them with school groups. We've seen Israeli politicians arriving to pay their respects on this day of reflection. Visiting foreign dignitaries have been here as well.

Celia Hatton (3:27)

Yolan, you mentioned politicians arriving where you are. We're just a few weeks away from some crucial elections in Israel. How have the legacy of those Hamas attacks affected the discussion that's being had inside Israel now?

Yolan Nel (3:44)

I mean, security is really a major issue going into this general election. It's the first election that will be taking place since the 7th October attacks. Many people were surprised actually at the government's choice of timing, which in the end means that the elections come just when this anniversary will be very much in people's minds. But there have been demands, particularly from those who were personally affected by what happened on that shocking day for a state commission of inquiry that has not happened up to now from the government of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And his political rivals are really accusing him of being responsible for many of the failures in security that led to the 7th October attacks.

Celia Hatton (4:30)

Yolan Nel.

As families gathered for that memorial event at the festival site, not far away just across the border in Gaza, loud bangs were heard early on Wednesday. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have continued despite a US brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas last year. Palestinian officials say two people were killed in that latest strike overnight. So how are Palestinians feeling today on the third anniversary of the October 7th attacks? I spoke to our Gaza correspondent, Rushdie Abu Alouf, who's in Istanbul.