U.S. diplomat looks back on 3 years since Oct. 7 attacks in Israel

Three years after October 7, 2023, the world continues to grapple with the profound impact of Hamas's attack on southern Israel. On that day, Palestinian fighters breached the Gaza border, killing more than 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. The assault remains a defining moment in Israeli history, leading to significant changes in leadership and security policies.

In the lead-up to the attacks, Israelis were focused on internal politics rather than external threats. Following the massacre, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government faced severe criticism but he remains in power despite overseeing what many consider the worst security failure in Israel’s history. The attack led to mass protests demanding the release of hostages and widespread global condemnation of Hamas.

The incident reshaped Israeli society and its approach to security, with leaders acknowledging that external threats were underestimated prior to October 7. Meanwhile, families like Sigal Manzuri continue to advocate for peace and remember their loved ones lost in the attacks, highlighting the human cost behind the statistics.