Three Years After October 7: Gaza Death Toll Surpasses 74,000 as Israel Grapples with Trauma and Political Uncertainty
Three years have passed since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, yet the scars remain deeply etched in both Israeli and Palestinian societies. The subsequent Israeli bombardment and ground operations in Gaza have killed more than 74,000 people, including at least 1,400 in the past year alone since a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025. That ceasefire halted major fighting but failed to stop Israeli attacks or secure the disarmament of Hamas. Today, Israel controls around two-thirds of Gaza, where it has demolished remaining buildings and ordered residents out, while Hamas governs the remaining third—a narrow coastal strip where the 2 million population mostly live in makeshift tents and bombed-out buildings.nnFor Israelis, the trauma of October 7 continues to shape daily life. Zion Regev, a community leader in the kibbutz, said most residents remain displaced and have yet to return. The anniversary is the first since the ceasefire deal, and the attack and its aftermath remain one of the main themes in the national conversation. A poll published this week by the Israeli Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based think tank, found that 62% of Israelis say the attacks will be a key factor in their decision on who to vote for. Yet polls show neither the pro-Netanyahu nor the anti-Netanyahu bloc on a clear path to a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament. Neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor his main competitors would muster enough seats to form a coalition if a vote were held today.nnNetanyahu faces mounting criticism over his handling of the October 7 attack and its aftermath. Critics accuse him of ignoring warnings from the United Arab Emirates that Hamas was planning a major attack. The political deadlock reflects a nation deeply divided over the war’s conduct and its consequences. Meanwhile, displaced Gazans recall life before the Israeli assault, their memories starkly contrasting with the devastation that surrounds them. Since the attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, around 74,000 Palestinians have been killed and the majority of its population driven from their homes.nnAs Israel marks three years since October 7, the path forward remains uncertain. The ceasefire has brought a fragile calm, but not a lasting peace.
Shimanta Das 
