Israel Marks Two Years Since October 7 Hamas Attack

. With National Ceremony Set for Next Week

Jerusalem, Oct. 7, 2025 — Israelis are marking the second anniversary of the devastating October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which left 1,200 people dead and over 250 taken hostage. While private and communal memorials are being held across the country today, the official state commemoration will take place next week in accordance with the Hebrew calendar.

The National Day of Remembrance is scheduled for October 16, which corresponds to the 24th of Tishrei. A state ceremony will be held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, following tradition for national memorials in Israel.

The timing this year also overlaps with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, prompting many observances to be rescheduled.

Tonight, a major civil society event will bring the nation together. A memorial concert, organized by the nonprofit group KUMU (“Rise Up” in Hebrew), will take place for the second year in a row. The event, which features performances by leading Israeli artists and testimonies from survivors and families of hostages, is being broadcast live on major TV networks and funded entirely through public donations.

“This year, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that, alongside the pain and memory of our loved ones, the ceremony will also symbolize the end of the war,” said KUMU co-founder Yonatan Shimriz, a survivor of the 2023 attack.

The concert is expected to focus heavily on the plight of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. According to Israeli authorities, Hamas and other armed groups continue to hold 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive.

The attack two years ago triggered a war between Israel and Hamas that has since caused catastrophic damage in Gaza. More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local authorities. Parts of the enclave have been pushed to the brink of famine. A United Nations inquiry recently accused Israel of committing acts of genocide in Gaza — a charge the Israeli government strongly denies.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. Talks are underway in Egypt for a second day, with negotiators and mediators seeking progress on a proposed ceasefire deal backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen. As of mid-August, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported that roughly 25% of Gaza’s population of two million was experiencing starvation, a figure projected to rise to one-third by the end of September.