October 7 families to hold mass rally demanding state inquiry three days before Israeli elections

On October 24, the same day that marks three years since the October 7 massacre, the October Council plans to stage a mass protest in Hostage Square at 7:30 p.m. This event aims to bring the families of the victims and survivors to the forefront of public discourse, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the events of October 7 and to learn from the mistakes that allowed such a tragedy to unfold.

The rally will be spearheaded by bereaved families, former hostages, their families, residents of the Gaza Envelope, and citizens who have been advocating for a state commission of inquiry for over two years. The event will also feature the participation of leaders from various political parties, including Yashar Gadi Eisenkot, B Yachad co-leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman, and Democrats leader Yair Golan.

The October Council consists of more than 1,500 bereaved families, former hostages, and survivors who have been vocal in their criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration for allegedly covering up the truth about the massacre. The council has consistently called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to thoroughly investigate the intelligence, military, and political failures that led to October 7.

Although a bill proposing a coalition-backed, politically appointed commission of inquiry was passed in July 2026, the opposition boycotted the vote, arguing that it was an attempt to obstruct a genuine investigation. Despite the bill's initial success, it failed to complete its final readings before the Knesset dissolved. However, the coalition reintroduced the bill with the continuity law, allowing it to resume the process in the upcoming Knesset.