Israel Marks Three Years Since Nova Massacre With Memorial Events

Israel is commemorating three years since the Nova music festival massacre, with memorial ceremonies held at the site of the attack and nationwide. A moment of silence and the "Yizkor" prayer, recited by hostage survivor Elkana Buchbot, marked the start of a ceremony at the Nova site in Re'im. President Isaac Herzog is scheduled to speak at the main national memorial event in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, which is expected to draw tens of thousands. This central ceremony, hosted by hostage survivor Eli Sharabi and actress Shani Cohen, follows numerous remembrance and protest events held throughout the day. The "Komo" movement, co-founded by Yonatan Shamriz whose brother Alon was killed by the IDF, initiated the Nova site ceremony for the third consecutive year in collaboration with families of October 7 victims. The event features a long list of Israeli artists. Throughout the day, families of victims and protesters demanding a state inquiry commission held rallies across the country. Gal Goren, whose parents were murdered and bodies taken to Gaza, described the past three years as "1,097 days that are actually one unending day." Ofri Bibas-Levi, sister of hostage survivor Yarden Bibas and relative of murdered hostages Shiri, Kfir, and Ariel, told foreign ambassadors that the absence of a state inquiry commission signifies "no recognition, only denial and minimization," urging accountability and lessons learned. Protests also targeted the homes of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Education Minister Yoav Kisch. Demonstrators blocked traffic on Ayalon highway for a moment of silence and dyed a fountain red in Dizengoff Square. The October 7 Victims Families Forum reiterated its call for a state inquiry commission, stating that gathered testimonies reveal the depth of the failure at the state's leadership level prior to the massacre. At a ceremony for fallen lookouts and signalers at Nahal Oz, families called for official recognition of their bravery. Numerous other memorial services and events took place at locations including Kibbutz Kfar Aza and the Nova festival site, alongside protest convoys and a nationwide moment of reflection at noon. The Peres Center for Peace and Innovation opened an exhibition titled "The Space That Remains," displaying items belonging to dozens of massacre victims. Remembrance events continue into the evening, with the main ceremony in Yarkon Park being broadcast live in Israel and internationally, with community screenings also planned in New York, Berlin, and Paris.