Israel puts army on alert ahead of October 7th anniversary

Israel has been waging a war in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023.

In February 2026, Israel and the USA attacked Iran - with consequences for the entire Middle East.

Israel puts army on alert ahead of October 7th anniversary

Ahead of tomorrow's anniversary of the attack by the terrorist organization Hamas, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has put his country's army on high alert because of alleged intelligence information about possible attacks. The order came in light of information "about Hamas's intentions to carry out attacks and terrorist operations against our forces in the Gaza Strip that day," Katz's office said. If Israeli forces were harmed, Hamas and the people of the Gaza Strip would pay a "heavy price," it said.

How October 7th traumatized an entire generation

It has been almost three years since Islamist terrorists led by Hamas attacked southern Israel and killed more than 1,000 people, tortured and raped many others and kidnapped numerous hostages to the Gaza Strip. Young people in the Middle East are still suffering today from the horror of October 7th and the subsequent Gaza war.

In Israel, the number of children in psychiatric emergency rooms has doubled in the past three years, according to a study. According to aid groups such as Doctors Without Borders, there are virtually no children in the Gaza Strip who are not traumatized. An entire generation needs help, writes my colleague Christian Vooren.

Israeli professor is said to have planned attacks against Arabs

A mathematics professor at the University of Bar-Ilan in the Tel Aviv area has to stand trial for suspected planned terrorist attacks. According to prosecutors, over three years he planned to kill several hundred Arab Israeli citizens, particularly Bedouins, across the country as well as Palestinians living in East Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. His goal, based on nationalist ideology, was to force people to flee to Jordan, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

According to the public prosecutor's office, the man tried to recruit accomplices for about a year and a half, but "without success." The public prosecutor's office requested that the man be kept in custody until the end of the proceedings.

Israel reports killing of Hamas commander

The Israeli military says it has killed a terrorist believed to have been involved in the October 7 massacre. The man was the commander of the Nukhba unit and is said to have worked to restore Hamas' capabilities, the military said. The information cannot be independently verified.

Benjamin Netanyahu threatens Hamas fighters

At a memorial event for the victims of October 7, 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened the fighters of the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas. “Everyone who was involved in the attack against us, everyone who held our hostages captive, is on temporary life,” said Netanyahu. “We'll get them like we got others. Day after day we settle the score with these disgusting murderers.”

At the same time, Israel's head of government ruled out a future for Hamas in the government of the Gaza Strip. "There will be no Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip," said this year at the memorial service at a military cemetery in Jerusalem. Due to the Jewish calendar, the victims of October 7th and the war it triggered are already being remembered in Israel.

According to Caritas, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic

According to Caritas, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dramatic. Even after a year of “relative ceasefire,” the supply situation for the people is still without prospects, said Oliver Müller, head of Caritas International. The people in Gaza are facing a “bitter winter” if aid deliveries and their financing do not increase significantly.

This means that there is not enough clean drinking water, food and other everyday goods available for 2.1 million Palestinians in need of help. “The trucks are repeatedly rejected at the border crossings without the reasons for this being transparently understandable,” criticized Müller.

Robust tents that can withstand the weather and offer people protection in winter are also urgently needed. 85 percent of all buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged, leaving over 1.7 million people living in makeshift shelters. »Many tents are worn out and urgently need to be replaced. But even bringing in new tents is being hindered by the Israeli authorities,” said Müller. According to the UN, only every second truck is allowed through at the Egyptian Rafah border crossing. "As the controlling power at the border crossings, the Israeli government has a special responsibility to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the civilian population," said Müller.

Israel remembers the victims of the Hamas attack three years ago

Israel has begun commemorations for the victims of October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war. The flags in front of the Knesset and in front of the President's Jerusalem residence have been flown at half-mast since 6:29 a.m., the time that marked the start of the attack. Wreaths were laid in front of the Knesset and a memorial candle was lit. Two state commemorations are planned for the day at the national cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, which, according to official information, will include President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The national memorial day is based on the Hebrew calendar. To mark the anniversary of the attack according to the Gregorian calendar, further commemorations, exhibitions and protest events are planned across the country on Wednesday. A civil national commemoration with tens of thousands of participants is planned for Wednesday evening in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park. At the same time, groups critical of the government announced protests and demonstrations, including in front of the houses of politicians who were in government responsibility on October 7, 2023.

Israel's chief of staff speaks of a "massive failure" on October 7th

Israel's army must learn lessons from its failures to respond to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, according to its chief of staff Ejal Samir. "Today we are completing the investigation into the failures of October 7th," said Samir. This happens “with an awareness of the extent of the catastrophe, but also with the realization that we must not get lost in it.”

Rather, the army must “learn from it, draw lessons, implement them and move forward.” On that day almost three years ago, the Israeli armed forces “failed massively,” Samir continued. But the army is “able to act again”.

Israel confirms attack on senior Hamas member

The Israeli army has confirmed an airstrike in the Gaza Strip that targeted a senior Hamas member, according to Israeli military correspondent Itay Blumental. Blumental wrote on Platform X that the man was Ali al-Omari. He is a possible candidate for the planned secret election of a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip.

It was initially unclear whether Al-Omari survived the attack. The Israeli army said it was still investigating whether he was killed in the attack.

Palestinians report five dead after airstrike in Gaza City

At least five people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in western Gaza City, according to Palestinian rescue workers. Five other people were injured in the attack, the dpa news agency reported, citing sources at Shifa Hospital. A search is underway for other possible victims under the rubble. There is no statement from the Israeli military yet.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill two people

Two people were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. At least one other person was injured, according to Al-Shifa Hospital and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The Israeli military confirmed the attacks in Gaza City. These would have been aimed at extremists. A Hamas sniper was also killed in an airstrike in Khan Yunis, further south in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian health authorities confirmed the man's death. Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip increased again in September.

According to Welthungerhilfe, high prices in Gaza are making life unaffordable

According to Welthungerhilfe, the majority of people in the Gaza Strip can no longer afford even basic foodstuffs and are dependent on rapid aid deliveries. "The prices are usually eight to ten times what the goods cost before the war," said Welthungerhilfe General Secretary Mathias Mogge to the editorial network Germany after a visit to the Gaza Strip.

Cucumbers now cost four US dollars instead of 30 cents, tomatoes five dollars instead of 50 cents. The price of bread has doubled. At the same time, most people would have practically no income left. “Many are therefore completely dependent on food aid from outside,” said Mogge.

He pushed for further aid deliveries to alleviate the acute need. In order to make people independent of aid deliveries, the economic situation in Gaza must be improved. “This requires economic reconstruction and more vital goods being allowed into the Gaza Strip,” said Mogge.

Israeli drone kills five people in attack on bus

According to the Hamas-controlled Civil Defense, five people were killed in an Israeli attack on a minibus in the Gaza Strip. 20 other people, including women and children, were injured, said civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal. Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza confirmed the information.

According to the civil defense spokesman, the bus was carrying people who wanted to travel from Gaza City in the north to the center and south of Gaza. An Israeli drone fired twice at the bus; The front area of ​​the vehicle was destroyed and it burned out completely.

US Senate blocks resolution on West Bank violence

Republicans in the US Senate have blocked a Democratic push that would have required President Donald Trump's administration to report on increasing violence in the occupied West Bank. This also involves the deaths of US citizens. Nine US citizens have been killed since 2022. Senators voted against the resolution Tuesday by a vote of 51-47.

Israeli airstrike kills Hamas commander in Gaza

An Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip killed a commander of the Islamist Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said it was Iss al-Din al-Beik, the head of the terrorist organization's armed wing in the north of the region. The military targeted Al-Beik. He was involved in planning attacks and recruiting Hamas fighters.

Hamas confirmed his death. The attack hit a residential building in Gaza City's Nasr district, medics said. Another person died from their injuries.