Three Years After Oct. 7, Israeli and Palestinian Victims Face a Long Road to Recovery

Three years on from the deadliest day in Israel's history, the consequences of the October 7, 2023, attacks persist, affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. On October 7, 2023, Hamas-led militants launched an assault on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of roughly 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 hostages.

Among those taken hostage were twins Gali and Ziv Berman, aged 26, from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The brothers endured two years of captivity, enduring harsh conditions and separation before being among the final hostages released in October 2025. Despite surviving the attack, the Berman brothers have not forgotten the horrors they endured or the loss of their community.

Gali is currently pursuing a law and diplomacy degree, while Ziv has begun a new relationship. However, the impact of their experiences continues to weigh heavily on them.

For Palestinians in Gaza, the aftermath of the war remains a daily struggle. Three years of conflict, displacement, and destruction have transformed the lives of the territory's 2 million residents. A nominal cease-fire has failed to deliver true peace, as the area remains heavily partitioned, with Israel controlling approximately 60% of the enclave.

The landscape of Gaza has changed significantly, with Israel constructing new military outposts, earthen barriers, and encroaching beyond the agreed-upon withdrawal boundaries. The majority of Gaza's residents are now squeezed into a reduced coastal area ruled by Hamas, facing overcrowding, disease, and a breakdown of public services.

Diplomatic efforts to end the standoff remain fraught. President Donald Trump recently proposed a 15-point peace plan through the Board of Peace, aiming to disarm Hamas and terminate the Israeli occupation. However, both sides have presented significant obstacles. Hamas insists that Israel must cease its attacks and fulfill its cease-fire commitments before any disarmament takes place.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, has stated that the military will not withdraw without the genuine disarmament of Hamas, leaving the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of displaced populations uncertain. As the third anniversary of the attacks approaches, a final resolution to the conflict seems increasingly distant.

For Israeli survivors like the Berman brothers, the focus remains on rebuilding their lives while coping with the lingering trauma of their captivity. For Palestinians, the greatest fear is that the world might overlook their ongoing hardships in the ruins of their homes.