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

The October Council, representing over 1,500 bereaved families, former hostages, and survivors of the October 7 massacre, will hold a mass rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, October 24, 2026, three days before the Knesset elections. The event demands a state commission of inquiry into the attack, with party leaders including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Liberman, and Yair Golan expected to attend. The council has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle of attempting to erase the memory of the attack.

The October Council, representing over 1,500 bereaved families, former hostages, and survivors of the October 7 massacre, announced a mass rally at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, October 24, 2026, just three days before the Knesset elections. The rally aims to place the demand for a full state commission of inquiry into the October 7 attack at the center of the public agenda, calling for investigation into the failure, determination of responsibility, and drawing of lessons. The event will be led by bereaved families, former hostages, Gaza Envelope residents, and citizens who have advocated for over two years. Party leaders expected to attend include Yashar's Gadi Eisenkot, B'Yachad co-leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Liberman, and Democrats leader Yair Golan. The council has marked this as the last major public event before the elections. The council previously accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle of attempting to erase the memory of the October 7 attack. Despite Netanyahu's pledges that those responsible would be held to account, Israel has not yet established a commission of inquiry. A coalition-backed bill for a politically appointed commission passed its first reading in the Knesset in July 2026 with 59 votes, but the opposition boycotted, arguing it was an attempt to block a genuine investigation. The bill did not complete final readings before the Knesset dissolved.