Israel Marks Third Anniversary of October 7th Massacre

The candle lighting symbolized Israel's shared national grief and pain, honoring the memory of all civilians, soldiers, infants, children, and the elderly who fell on October 7 and during the subsequent Swords of Iron War. President Herzog stated that the flame expresses national grief and honors the families who lost loved ones, as well as those bearing the physical and emotional scars of the war.

Following the candle lighting, the presidential couple scheduled a visit to an exhibition in Netiv HaAsara dedicated to the victims, where they will meet with local families. Later in the day, President Herzog is slated to deliver a speech at a memorial ceremony for the victims of the music festival massacre at the Re'im memorial site.

Other commemorations organized by the October 7th Council, the Kumu movement, former hostages, and families of the fallen took place throughout the day. In the morning, hundreds of activists from the October 7th Council gathered outside the Knesset, observing a moment of silence, holding portraits of slain hostages, and unveiling a symbolic tombstone. A nationwide minute of silence was observed at 12:00 PM, and the main memorial ceremony is scheduled for 9:15 PM in Tel Aviv's Ganei Yehoshua Park.