Doomsday Clock for Peace Ticks Closer to Midnight as Israelis Mark Three Years Since Oct. 7 Attacks
Three years after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, Israelis marked the anniversary with mourning at sites like Kfar Aza and the Nova festival while Palestinians in Gaza recalled the ensuing war that displaced nearly the entire population and devastated the enclave. The doomsday clock for peace ticks closer to midnight amid these observances and the broader shifts the conflict has produced.
Anniversary Observances in Israel and Gaza
Israelis gathered in silence on Wednesday in a kibbutz near the Gaza border that was overrun by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 three years ago, mourning victims of attacks that set off Israel’s assault in Gaza and plunged the Middle East into war. [4] In the Gaza Strip, devastated by three years of Israeli bombardment, Palestinians sheltering among the ruins of destroyed cities recalled life before a war that displaced nearly the entire population and tore apart families. [4] The attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, were the deadliest day in Israel’s history. [4] Militants led by Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, a cross-border incursion that traumatized Israelis who have demanded government accountability. [4]
Impact on Israeli Society and Politics
The war has pushed Israeli public opinion further to the right and narrowed political space for peace, according to former diplomat Alon Liel. [1] Three years of the conflict have altered Israeli society in ways that former diplomat Alon Liel links directly to reduced room for diplomatic engagement. [1] The Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 were the deadliest day in Israel’s history and triggered Israel’s military assault in Gaza that has lasted three years. [4]
Israelis mark three years since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks at a mourning site near Gaza. — Source: thenewarab
Regional Business Perspectives on the Conflict
Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris stated that Palestinians gained nothing from Oct. 7, describing the attacks as a horrible act of terrorism that brought only destruction, while warning of an expansionist Israeli government and Israeli settlers as crazy. [3] In an interview with FRANCE 24, Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris called the October 7 attacks a "horrible act of terrorism" that brought Palestinians "only destruction". [3] He voiced fears of "a government in Israel that is expansionist", describing Israeli settlers as "crazy". [3] Sawiris said the economic fallout from the Iran war is already "happening". [3] He blamed Iran, which "has become a destabilising power", but also Israel and the US for "this war, which could have been avoided". [3] Sawiris has nonetheless doubled his investment in the United Arab Emirates, with a message for Tehran: "You're not going to scare us." [3]
Israeli Officials’ Statements on Gaza’s Future
A Middle East Eye opinion piece argues that Israeli officials including ministers have made statements and taken actions indicating intent to rebuild Jewish settlements in Gaza, with some describing the goal as ethnic cleansing or transfer of the Palestinian population. [5] The piece attributes to Israel’s Minister of Settlements Orit Strook the statement in March 2023 that “I don't know how many years it will take...returning to Gaza will take a lot of sacrifices. Gaza is part of the land of Israel, and we will return to it one day.” [5] It further attributes to the deputy head of Israel’s Knesset, Limor Son-Har Melech, the remark the same day that “Our task now is to return to the settlements in Gush Katif and rebuild them.” [5] The opinion piece notes that Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich had promised on the eve of the Netanyahu government’s formation in December 2022 that Israel would “return” to rebuild Jewish settlements in Gaza. [5] It reports that earlier this year Limor Son-Har Melech led a group of settlers deep inside Gaza, planting trees to mark the first step towards rebuilding settlements, and that Israel Katz, Israel’s new defence minister, has formally announced intentions to start building settlements in Gaza. [5]
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Repercussions for Voices Supporting Palestine
Artists who spoke out for Palestine, such as Belgian-Moroccan poet Hind Eljadid, faced detention, death threats and canceled assignments. [2] Belgian-Moroccan poet Hind Eljadid was detained for around 7 hours after speaking about Palestine on stage, later faced death threats, and had assignments canceled. [2] Three years of Israel's actions have imposed reported personal costs on artists who have spoken out for Palestine. [2]
Current Situation Three Years On
In Gaza, nearly the entire population has been displaced, with Palestinians sheltering among ruins of destroyed cities and mourning widespread destruction. [4] The war has pushed Israeli public opinion further to the right and narrowed political space for peace, according to former diplomat Alon Liel. [1] Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris stated that Palestinians gained nothing from Oct. 7, describing the attacks as a horrible act of terrorism that brought only destruction, while warning of an expansionist Israeli government and Israeli settlers as crazy. [3] The ongoing conflict continues to produce displacement and political shifts across the region.
What to watch next: Statements by Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on long-term goals for Gaza and further assessments from regional business figures such as Naguib Sawiris on economic fallout.
