October 7 Anniversary Sees Fresh Israeli Strikes In Gaza, With At Least Two Dead

Israel carried out new strikes in Gaza on Wednesday, October 7, as Israel marked the third anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, with Palestinian officials reporting at least two deaths. The strikes came as Israelis gathered at memorial events to remember those killed in the attacks that triggered the devastating war in Gaza. In Gaza City, Al-Shifa Hospital reported that two people were killed in an Israeli strike overnight. Gaza's Civil Defence identified one of the dead as Mohamed Tamous, saying he was a volunteer with the agency, which operates as an emergency rescue service under the Hamas-run administration. The Israeli military has separately said recent strikes in Gaza targeted militants.

The latest strikes occurred as the October 7 anniversary brought renewed attention to the events that transformed the region and triggered the prolonged conflict. On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led fighters attacked communities and military sites in southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to figures cited by Reuters. The attack was followed by Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in the subsequent Israeli assault. The figures have been reported by the respective sides and authorities, while the continuing conflict and competing claims make independent verification of some casualty figures difficult.

The anniversary was being observed with ceremonies and gatherings in Israel, including at the site of the Nova music festival, where more than 300 people were killed during the October 7 attack. Family members gathered at dawn to remember those who died at the festival three years earlier. Loud explosions were heard across the border from the Gaza side during the commemorations, underscoring the continuing violence despite a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. The anniversary is the first since all hostages have either been returned or their remains recovered, according to Reuters, adding another dimension to the commemorations taking place across Israel.

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In Gaza, however, the anniversary unfolded amid continuing military activity and uncertainty over the durability of the ceasefire. Reuters reported that Israeli strikes killed at least two Palestinians on Tuesday, October 6, including one near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and another in a separate strike nearby. The Israeli military told Reuters that the two strikes had targeted militants. Israel has said Hamas has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire, while Hamas has denied attempting to rebuild its arsenal or carry out attacks and has accused Israel of undermining the Gaza peace arrangement. The competing claims reflect the broader dispute over responsibility for continuing violence since the ceasefire took effect.

The death of Tamous has added to concerns about the risks faced by emergency workers operating in Gaza. Gaza's Civil Defence described him as one of its volunteers, while Palestinian media reports said he was killed while working to recover bodies in northern Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed that a strike had been carried out in the area but did not provide further details about the reported death, according to The Times of Israel. The Civil Defence organisation operates under the Hamas-run administration and has been involved in rescue and emergency response operations throughout the conflict.

The latest violence comes as efforts to implement the wider Gaza peace arrangement remain incomplete. The US-brokered ceasefire reached last year envisaged eventual reconstruction of Gaza, but negotiations over key issues including Hamas's disarmament and an Israeli military withdrawal have made limited progress. Gaza health officials have said at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire began, while Israel has reported deaths among its soldiers from militant activity during the same period. As Israel observes the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, the latest strikes highlight how violence has continued despite the ceasefire and how unresolved security and political issues remain central to the future of Gaza.

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