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Three years after 7 October, Israelis demand accountability as no state inquiry exists

Kfar Aza mourns 64 dead while survivors and opposition question Netanyahu's election promise of strength

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
As Israel marked the third anniversary of the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attacks, grieving communities and survivors demanded a state inquiry into the security failures that allowed the deadliest assault in the country's history, but no such investigation has been established, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is running for re-election on a promise of greater toughness.

At dawn on Wednesday, residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza gathered silently at the armoury where Hamas-led gunmen killed half of the community's 14-member civil defence squad on 7 October 2023. The kibbutz lost 64 members that day, with 19 taken hostage.

Three years on, the pain remains raw, but attention has turned to accountability. "I need my country to take responsibility," said Inbar Goldstein, whose brother and niece were killed and four other relatives kidnapped from Kfar Aza.

The attack killed about 1,200 people across southern Israel and saw 251 taken to Gaza as hostages. It remains Israel's worst security failure since its founding in 1948. Yet, despite the scale of the disaster, there is still no independent state inquiry into how it was allowed to happen.

Goldstein described the lack of investigation as part of "a long process of abandonment," saying the attack "didn't start or end on October 7th."

Netanyahu, who was prime minister at the time, is now seeking re-election with a campaign centred on being stronger and tougher than rivals in defending Israel. For many survivors, that promise rings hollow without a formal reckoning.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The absence of a state inquiry means the systemic failures leading to the 7 October attack remain unexamined, leaving the possibility of similar vulnerabilities.
  • The demand for accountability is shaping Israeli politics ahead of elections, with Netanyahu's re-election campaign directly challenged by survivors' calls for responsibility.
  • The anniversary underscores the ongoing human toll: 64 dead and 19 kidnapped from a single kibbutz, and no closure for families seeking answers.

Background

The 7 October 2023 attack was the deadliest day in Israel's history, with about 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage. Kfar Aza, near the Gaza border, was among the hardest hit communities. Since then, Israel has been engaged in military operations in Gaza, but the internal question of how the border was breached and why intelligence failed remains unresolved. The lack of a state inquiry has been a recurring point of contention between the government and families of victims, who argue that only a full independent investigation can ensure such a failure is never repeated.

Key Perspectives

Survivors and families: They demand a state inquiry to identify responsibilities and prevent future attacks. Inbar Goldstein's comments reflect a belief that the attack was part of a broader failure that predates and extends beyond that day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: He is running for re-election on a platform of strength and security, implying that his leadership remains the best protection against Israel's enemies, without committing to an inquiry into the 2023 failures. Critics and opposition: They argue that Netanyahu's refusal to establish an independent inquiry is self-serving, as it would likely scrutinise his own decisions in the run-up to the attack. The lack of investigation is seen as an obstacle to national reckoning.

What to Watch

  • Whether Netanyahu or any political party commits to a state inquiry as the election campaign progresses.
  • Public reaction to the anniversary, including any new protests or demands from survivor groups.
  • Any release of official documents or interim reports that might shed light on the failures, even without a full inquiry.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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