2,500 at rally marking October 7 massacre: 'We demand to know the truth'

Approximately 2,500 people attended a rally commemorating the October 7 massacre at the Swords of Iron Forest in the western Negev. Participants included residents of the Gaza border communities, bereaved families, and former hostages. Local council heads called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry. The head of the Eshkol Regional Council reported that 752 babies have been born in the area since the massacre.

Approximately 2,500 people participated in a rally commemorating the October 7 massacre, held at the Swords of Iron Forest in the western Negev. Among the participants were members of kibbutzim and moshavim near the Gaza Strip, residents of southern cities, bereaved families, former hostages, and representatives of security forces. The rally took place at the memorial forest established by KKL-JNF in memory of the murdered and fallen. The event was led by KKL-JNF, the Kibbutz Movement, the Moshav Movement, and the Eshkol and Sha'ar HaNegev regional councils. Secretary-General of the Kibbutz Movement Lior Simcha called for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry: 'We will forever remember the October 7 massacre. We will remember the failure that allowed the Nukhba terrorists to defile places that were considered the safest of all.' Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council head Uri Epstein, who lost his eldest son Neta in the massacre, said: 'Three years later, we demand to know the truth. We demand a state commission of inquiry.' Eshkol Regional Council head Michal Uziyahu reported that 752 babies have been born in Eshkol since October 7. The rally featured performances by David D'Or, Yuval Dayan, Keren Peles, and Shai Hamber.