Marking the Third Anniversary of the October 7 Attacks

<figure> <img alt="Group of people crying" src="https://platform.vox.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/gettyimages-2298431844.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Israelis visit the Nova music festival memorial site to mark the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks. | Saeed Qaq/Anadolu via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>This story appeared in&nbsp;Today, Explained,&nbsp;a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vox.com/today-explained-newsletter" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Subscribe here</a></em>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Jewish communities in Israel and around the world are marking the third anniversary of <a href="https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907296/israel-war-hamas-attack-rocket-strike-response-2023">the October 7 attacks</a> that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Memorials for the victims have been held <a href="https://apnews.com/photo-gallery/photos-israelis-marking-three-years-since-hamas-oct-7-attack-election-nears-1230c70b2fb54be781db6c089de55da4">at homes</a>, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/anti-government-protesters-hold-moment-of-silence-on-ayalon-dizengoff-fountain-dyed-red-to-mark-3-years-since-oct-7">on highways</a>, and <a href="https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/434248">at the site</a> of the Nova music festival. In Tel Aviv, a large art installation at Trumpeldor beach commemorated both the victims and <a href="https://www.7octparliamentarycommission.co.uk/in-memoriam-hostages">the 251 hostages</a> taken by Hamas three years ago.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of those hostages, 166 have returned alive, and the remains of the last deceased captive were released to Israel in January. However, the national trauma from the October 7 attacks — the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust — and the subsequent retaliatory campaign by Israel remain significant.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">These events have significantly impacted Israel, Gaza, the broader Middle East, and the United States, continuing to influence global and domestic politics. This report examines the lasting effects of the October 7 attacks and Israel's response.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Further Insights</h2> <div class="datawrapper-embed"><a href="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/tysct/2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">View Link</a></div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a reflection on the first anniversary of October 7 two years ago, Vox’s Zack Beauchamp noted that the “horrors” initiated by the attacks <a href="https://www.vox.com/world-politics/375398/israel-palestine-lebanon-october-7-anniversary-one-year">would continue to unfold in tragic and unforeseeable ways</a>. He stated, “Events that might seem contained to the Middle East have come to hurt people around the world,” in ways that may not yet be fully understood.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The impact has been particularly severe in the Gaza Strip, where three years of conflict have devastated cities. Israel's military campaign has resulted in over 74,000 Palestinian deaths — <a href="https://www.972mag.com/israeli-intelligence-database-83-percent-civilians-militants">most of whom are civilians</a> — since October 2023. The majority of Gaza’s 2 million residents have been displaced from their homes, living in makeshift shelters and refugee camps plagued by hunger and disease.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The consequences of October 7 have also extended beyond Gaza. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6O7bcHKWaf1IVHAC97ONaC">Settler violence against Palestinians</a> has increased in the occupied West Bank, and the conflicts have weakened Iran and altered the balance of power in the Middle East.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Iran had previously relied on allies like Hamas and Hezbollah to project power against Israel. However, following October 7, Israel has <a href="https://www.vox.com/world-politics/24153755/hezbollah-israel-lebanon">significantly weakened</a> these groups, leaving Iran vulnerable and <a href="https://www.vox.com/politics/481608/iran-axis-resistance-october-7-israel">setting the stage for direct strikes on Iran</a> that began last winter.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The ongoing conflict and the occupation of Gaza have adversely affected Israel’s international reputation. A Pew survey conducted last spring across 36 countries found that a median of 67 percent of adults viewed Israel negatively. This disapproval has led to diplomatic changes, with 155 countries — including traditional allies like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia — now officially recognizing Palestinian statehood, an increase from 136 prior to the conflict. While this recognition does not alter the situation on the ground, it represents a significant rebuke to Israel.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the United States, Israel has become a contentious issue in domestic politics. Prior to October 7, more than half of Americans held a favorable view of Israel, but <a href="https://www.vox.com/politics/495736/israel-democrats-polling-gaza-genocide">sentiment sharply declined</a> in 2025 and 2026, particularly among left-leaning individuals.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This issue may influence key midterm elections, such as the Michigan Senate race, where Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has advocated for ending US military aid to Israel. This stance is supported by nearly half of House Democrats and several potential presidential candidates <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/15/israel-aid-vote-house-democrats-00999917">as well.</a></p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, cutting US aid to Israel is unlikely to change its policies toward Palestinians, as Israel is a wealthy nation and American aid constitutes a small portion of its budget. Instead, altering Israeli policy regarding Gaza and the West Bank <a href="https://www.vox.com/politics/498295/israel-aid-el-sayed-block-the-bombs-democrats">would likely require more significant pressure</a> from the US, which is unlikely in the current political climate.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A single day may have initiated a series of tragedies, but resolving these issues will require considerable time.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Reading</h2> <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong> Cultivate hope.</strong> Maintaining optimism in the face of current events can be challenging. Jamil Zaki, a psychology professor and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, suggests focusing on hope — the belief that the future <em>could</em> improve, but requires genuine effort and attention.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Before you go… </h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Did you know…</strong>that sea turtles regularly cry (or “shed tears”) to eliminate excess salt? Scientists are <a href="https://www.vox.com/down-to-earth/406491/sensory-biology-sea-turtle-tears-research">studying sea turtle tears</a> to learn more about animal navigation.</li> <li><strong>Today’s trivia:</strong> What’s the term for a baby eagle? (You can find this and other brain puzzles <a href="https://link.vox.com/click/6a46cfd46352b082500e86fe/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudm94LmNvbS8yMTUyMzIxMi9jcm9zc3dvcmQtcHV6emxlcy1mcmVlLWRhaWx5LXByaW50YWJsZT91ZWlkPWM3Mzg0ZDJhYzRmZDQ0YzcyZDI4OGQ4N2YxZjM5NDlh/664389def568f1a4620aa3aeC7b08b10b">in Vox’s daily crossword</a>. Look for the answer in tomorrow’s edition.)</li> <li><strong>Yesterday’s trivia:</strong> Yesterday we asked you for the final letter of the Greek alphabet. The answer is omega, as referenced in the Bible, Swiss watch brand, <a href="https://www.vox.com/2016/3/10/11179842/dietary-supplements-medical-evidence">and nutritional supplement</a>.</li> </ul>