Israel is marking 1,000 days since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, which triggered a total war in the Gaza Strip. The retaliatory military campaign has killed more than 73,000 people and left Gaza in ruins. While fragile ceasefires have occurred, persistent attacks continue and further ceasefire steps have stalled, leaving both Israelis and Palestinians weary of the strain.
Across Israel, somber commemorations and memorials are being held alongside protests against the government's handling of the crisis. Many are calling for a state commission of inquiry to investigate why the government failed to prevent the unprecedented assault and how it managed the aftermath, during which 251 hostages were held in Gaza. Despite these calls, Benjamin Netanyahu's government has long refused to establish such a commission.
Israeli intelligence warns that Hamas is regrouping, contributing to a sentiment that Israel has not won anything. Meanwhile, Netanyahu hopes to expand the security zone to cover 70% of Gaza. The UN has warned that this expansion intensifies risks to civilians and further constrains humanitarian efforts. As Israel expands its control of the enclave, other conflicts have also emerged in the region.