Roei Shalev, a survivor of the 2023 Hamas attack on the Nova music festival who witnessed his girlfriend's murder, was found dead near Tel Aviv, prompting an investigation into his death amid ongoing trauma within the community affected by the attack.
Many Israelis displaced by the Hamas attack two years ago remain unable or unwilling to return to their homes in the border communities, citing ongoing destruction, emotional trauma, and delays in reconstruction efforts, with some communities still waiting for closure and rebuilding to be completed.
Twenty years after Israel's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, Israelis are debating whether the decision contributed to the rise of Hamas and the recent attack, with some advocating for reestablishing settlements amid ongoing security and political tensions.
Lawyers for US victims of the 2023 Hamas attack are suing designated terrorist groups and states like Iran, Syria, and North Korea, alleging their involvement or support for the attack, seeking at least $7 billion in damages and accountability.
HBO Max will air a four-episode scripted series titled 'One Day in October' depicting the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, focusing on real-life accounts and human stories, premiering on the second anniversary of the event.
The US has begun evacuating embassy staff from the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran, which is criticized by the IAEA for nuclear non-compliance. In Gaza, violence continues with Hamas accused of attacking aid workers, killing at least five, and Israel recovering the bodies of two hostages. US-Iran talks are set to resume in Oman, while regional tensions prompt the US to move personnel out of potentially dangerous areas. Israel's parliament also rejected a move to dissolve itself, amid ongoing conflict and political instability.
A Hamas attack on a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation bus resulted in at least five deaths, multiple injuries, and possible hostages, amid ongoing threats and violence against aid workers in Gaza.
Actor Michael Douglas visited Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel to show solidarity after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, meeting with families of hostages and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Douglas criticized pro-Palestinian protesters on American campuses, accusing them of being "brainwashed."
Actor Michael Douglas visited Kibbutz Be'eri on the Gaza border, where nearly 100 people were killed and 26 taken hostage in an October 7 Hamas attack, before heading to Tel Aviv for a photography exhibit.
The Gaza war on October 7 had a profound impact on Jews worldwide, particularly in Argentina, where many kibbutzim on the Gaza border were originally settled by Zionist youth movement members. Daniel Korin, whose brother was killed in the attack, emphasizes the need for unity and strength in the face of rising antisemitism and expresses hope for the safe return of hostages. The tragedy has also prompted a reevaluation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of finding a resolution while dealing with the threat of Hamas.
Israel has agreed to revise the lyrics of its potential submission to the Eurovision Song Contest after the contest organizers raised concerns about verses that seemed to reference a Hamas attack. The leading Israeli submission, "October Rain", includes lines that allude to the attack, prompting the broadcaster Kan to request the songwriters to revise the lyrics while preserving their artistic freedom. The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, has yet to comment on Kan's decision. The move to revise the lyrics came following a request from Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, emphasizing the need for Israel to proudly raise its flag on the world stage, especially in the face of attempts to boycott the country.
An Israeli organization supporting survivors of sexual abuse released a report concluding that sexual violence against Israelis during and after the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 was "systematic and widespread," including brutal acts of violent rape, gang rape, and mutilation of body parts. The report asserts that sexual abuse was not isolated but a clear operational strategy, with crimes committed at various locations including a rave site, kibbutzim, military bases, and against hostages in Gaza.
Survivors of the deadly Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the wealthiest Israeli settlements near the Gaza border, have chosen not to return due to fear of further attacks and the constant reminder of war. The community still bears the scars of the massacre, with homes left abandoned and destroyed. The attack, which killed over 1,200 civilians, including women and children, has left the survivors traumatized and unwilling to go back to their once thriving settlement.
Eilat, a major tourist destination in Israel, has seen its tourism industry collapse following a Hamas attack, leading to the evacuation of 60,000 Israelis to the city. The influx of evacuees has strained the city's resources, while local businesses, reliant on tourism, have suffered. Efforts are being made to revive the tourism industry, including government aid and advertising campaigns, but the future remains uncertain as the war continues.
Iranian-backed militants have killed 3 U.S. service members and injured at least 25 in the Middle East conflict. The International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must take measures to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza, while President Biden plans to send the CIA Director to help broker a hostage deal. Frustration mounts for Israel’s hostage families, and calls for a two-state solution grow. A Washington Post analysis reveals how Hamas meticulously planned and executed the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, exploiting vulnerabilities in Israel’s security barrier.