On October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of the massacre was marked. CNN reported ceremonies, memorial events and protests at more than 400 sites, and a national moment of silence at the hour the attack began. Haaretz and Israel Hayom reported thousands in Yarkon Park at a civil ceremony. Netanyahu lit a memorial candle in his office and, according to Haaretz, vowed to settle accounts with the murderers. Herzog spoke at the Nova site. NPR wrote that Israelis are grappling with the reports of an advance warning, and Netanyahu denied it.
The anniversary comes 19 days before the election, and the question of whether to set up a state commission of inquiry is at the center.
The ceremonies and the siren are part of public life; traffic disruptions around events are possible.
Government supporters stress the unity around remembrance and the pledge to settle accounts with the murderers.
Critics stress the question of responsibility and the need for a state commission of inquiry before the election.
Three years have passed, and the central question remains open: who is responsible and who will examine it. Track the parties’ commitments to a commission of inquiry on election day and after it.
CNN, NPR, Haaretz, Israel Hayom, Times of Israel (October 7, 2026)
Three years since October 7: memorial ceremonies at more than 400 sites, and the dispute over responsibility enters the final weeks of the campaign
The siren sounded at 6:29, and the main civil ceremony was held in Tel Aviv. The debate over reports that Netanyahu was warned in advance continues; he denies it.
On Wednesday, October 7, Israel marked the third anniversary of the massacre. According to CNN, ceremonies, memorial events and protests were held at more than 400 sites, and the day opened with a national moment of silence at the hour the attack began. Haaretz and Israel Hayom reported that thousands gathered in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv for a civil ceremony, and that CNN mentioned tens of thousands of participants. President Isaac Herzog spoke at the site of the Nova festival.
Prime Minister Netanyahu lit a memorial candle in his Jerusalem office and, according to Haaretz’s live blog, vowed to settle accounts with all the murderers. At the same time, Israelis were debating, NPR wrote, reports that Netanyahu had been warned before the massacre. He denied them and called them fake news. The link between the debate and the October 27 election is conspicuous, because the opposition has pledged to set up a state commission of inquiry.
An analysis piece in Haaretz said that three years after the massacre Israel has yet to begin confronting its failure; this is the writer’s position, not a factual finding. The election will be held in 19 days.