Three years after the 7 October attacks, Israelis are demanding accountability for the security failures that allowed the deadliest assault on the country since its creation in 1948. On that day, Hamas-led attackers killed about 1,200 people across southern Israel and took 251 hostages.
In communities like Kfar Aza, where 64 people were killed and 19 kidnapped, the pain remains raw. Residents are questioning why there has been no independent state inquiry into the events and why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in charge at the time, is seeking re-election with the same promise of protecting Israel.
"I need my country to take responsibility," said Inbar Goldstein, whose brother, niece, and four other relatives were killed or kidnapped from Kfar Aza. She believes the failures leading up to the attack were a "long process of abandonment."
Questions are being raised about intelligence failures, the information passed to leaders, and what Netanyahu himself knew. Young female soldiers stationed along the Gaza border had reportedly warned superiors about possible attack preparations. Roni Eshel, who was killed with her unit at Nahal Oz, is one of those whose warnings are believed to have gone unheard.
"Were the Egyptians warning the prime minister? The Emiratis? Were there no other warnings Netanyahu ignored?" asked Elad Levy, Roni's uncle. "We need to find out what happened – not just on the day, but the year before, and five years before that."
Despite reports of warnings from his own security chief and regional neighbours, Netanyahu denies any personal responsibility. He has blamed his security chiefs, suggesting they deliberately chose not to wake him, fearing he would order a massive military response.
Netanyahu's office has dismissed reports, such as one alleging the UAE's president warned him of Hamas plans, as "an absolute lie." He has also stated he will sue the newspaper that published the claim.
Some analysts, like journalist Yaacov Katz, argue that Netanyahu's policy of containing Hamas, rather than confronting it, contributed to the situation. He points to the doctrine of keeping Hamas in power to prevent a Palestinian state.
While military leaders and intelligence chiefs have resigned or been fired following the attacks, Netanyahu has consistently refused to accept personal responsibility. He has rejected calls for a state inquiry, citing potential bias from the judiciary, and proposed an alternative "national commission of inquiry" appointed by political parties, though a bill for this has not yet passed.
Netanyahu's stance on accountability has become a central issue in the upcoming election. Critics argue his refusal to take responsibility puts Israel at risk, while supporters believe he remains essential for the country's security. The legacy of 7 October continues to divide the nation politically.
