Three years later, October 7 is still not in the past for Israelis - editorial

Three years after the October 7 massacre, Israel has not been able to put the event in the past. The war remains unresolved, Hamas has not been disarmed, and questions about Gaza's governance and future security remain unanswered. For many Israelis, the trauma is ongoing, with former hostages describing the daily struggle of rebuilding life, and bereaved families demanding accountability through a state commission of inquiry that has not yet been established.

Three years after the October 7 massacre, Israel has not been able to put the event in the past. The war that began that morning remains unresolved: Hamas has not been fully disarmed, its future in Gaza is unsettled, and the questions of who will govern Gaza and how to prevent another attack remain unanswered. For many Israelis, the past three years have been less about moving on than about living with the consequences. Former hostages describe the ongoing struggle: Emily Damari speaks of gratitude for simple things like opening a fridge; Eli Sharabi, who lost his wife and daughters, says he chooses life while carrying them with him; Hagar Brodutch describes the daily difficulty of rebuilding, especially for children. Bereaved mother Michal Negri, whose son was killed rescuing civilians in Kibbutz Be'eri, demands a state commission of inquiry to hold those responsible for the failures accountable. Three years later, no such commission has been established, leaving October 7 as unfinished business for the nation.