One hundred days have passed since the unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel, which saw thousands of heavily armed fighters breach the Gaza border fence, attacking kibbutzim, military bases, and border towns. The assault resulted in at least 1,200 deaths, with over 360 killed at the Nova music festival alone, and around 130 hostages still held in Gaza. A commemorative event in Tel Aviv drew thousands, including families of the missing, who expressed frustration over the lack of information about their loved ones.
Yossi Schneider, a cousin of kidnapped Shiri Bibas, voiced his anguish: 'There are three generations of my family that are disappeared. Three generations! And the world is keeping silent.' Many Israelis view October 7 as the greatest threat to the nation's existence, with the safe return of hostages a top priority, alongside support for the government's war aims in Gaza.
In response, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign aimed at destroying Hamas. The military claims the group has been severely weakened in northern Gaza. However, the civilian toll has been enormous: over 23,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, and 85% of Gaza's population has been displaced. The UN describes the humanitarian situation as 'intolerable'.
Faten Abu Shahada, a displaced Palestinian requiring kidney dialysis, now lives in a plastic tent in Khan Younis. 'Gaza has been destroyed. There's no Gaza left - no hospitals, no education,' she said. International pressure for a ceasefire is mounting, with the US, Israel's closest ally, calling the civilian death toll 'far too high' and warning of eroding global support.
