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Palestinian officials reported that an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City killed two people on October 7 with Al-Shifa Hospital confirming the deaths as the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks began. Gaza’s civil defence identified one of the dead as Mohamed Tamous a volunteer with the emergency rescue service that operates under Hamas. The strikes occurred as the enclave’s health authorities continued to track casualties from repeated incidents since a ceasefire took hold last year.
Loud bangs from the direction of Gaza were audible at the Nova music festival site in southern Israel where families had gathered at dawn to remember more than 300 people killed in the 2023 attacks according to reports from the scene. Israeli authorities held a nationwide minute of silence at the exact time the assaults began three years ago and planned additional events at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. BBC coverage of the anniversary noted that this marked the first such observance with no remaining hostages held in Gaza after all were accounted for in exchanges.
The Hamas attacks on October 7 2023 killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel and led to 251 taken hostage according to Israeli tallies. Gaza’s health ministry has recorded more than 74,000 Palestinian deaths in the ensuing Israeli military campaign a figure that does not separate civilians from fighters. The ministry has separately documented at least 1,400 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire agreement came into force in October last year.
Reuters reports have detailed how Israel accuses Hamas of rearming and launching attacks in violation of the truce while Hamas denies the charges and blames Israel for undermining the deal. The Israeli military has described recent operations including the latest strike as aimed at removing specific threats. Palestinian officials have called on mediators to intervene to prevent further breaches that could unravel the agreement.
Civil defence teams worked at the strike site in Gaza City where the volunteer Tamous had been serving in rescue operations officials said. The incident coincided with Israeli memorial events that included vigils at kibbutz locations hit in the original attacks. Gaza authorities have said such strikes add to the strain on an already devastated territory where most residents live in damaged structures or makeshift shelters.
