Thousands rally in Tel Aviv demanding inquiry into October 7 attacks ahead of Israeli election

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, 24 October 2026, in a large anti‑government demonstration three days before the nation’s general election. The march, which began at Rabin Square and proceeded to Hostages Square, was organised by the October Council – a body formed by families of victims and hostages taken during the Hamas assault on 7 October 2023. Participants called for accountability and the creation of a state commission of inquiry into the failures that allowed the attack, which sparked the ensuing Gaza war.

Israeli media reported that leaders of the four main opposition parties attended the rally, including former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who is positioned neck‑and‑neck with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the polls. Eisenkot received a warm reception from the crowd. The October Council announced on its X account that the event marked three years of a campaign to uncover the truth about the October 7 attack and to demand a formal inquiry.

Background

The October Council was established after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in the capture of hostages and the deaths of many civilians. The group, representing families of those affected, has been campaigning for a governmental investigation into the security lapses that preceded the assault. Over the past three years, the council has organised several protests, with Hostages Square in Tel Aviv becoming a focal point for demonstrations demanding the release of captives and accountability for the war that followed.

The upcoming election, scheduled for 27 October 2026, is widely viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership, which began its current term in late 2022. Polls released before a gag‑order took effect on the night of 23 October indicated that neither the right‑wing bloc led by Netanyahu nor the opposition bloc was likely to secure an outright majority in the 120‑seat Knesset. Opposition figures such as Gadi Eisenkot and former prime minister Naftali Bennett have been actively courting voters, promising to challenge Netanyahu’s policies and to pursue an independent inquiry into the October 7 events.

Why it matters

The protest reflects deep public frustration with the government’s handling of the October 7 attack and the subsequent war in Gaza. Families of victims and hostages, represented by the October Council, seek a formal state commission that could examine intelligence failures, decision‑making processes, and the broader security apparatus. A credible inquiry could influence public opinion ahead of the election and affect the political fortunes of both the incumbent and opposition parties.

The rally also underscores the broader political stakes of the election. With polls showing a tightly contested race, the outcome will determine whether Netanyahu’s right‑wing coalition continues to govern or whether an opposition bloc, potentially led by Eisenkot, will assume power. The demand for an independent inquiry is therefore tied to broader questions of governance, accountability, and Israel’s future security strategy.

What happens next

Following the rally, the October Council indicated that it will continue to press for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, though no specific timeline for legislative action has been announced. The election on 27 October will proceed under a gag‑order that restricts polling data, and the results are expected to be declared in the days thereafter. Opposition leaders have signalled that, should they win, they will prioritise the formation of an independent investigative body into the October 7 attack. The government’s response to these demands remains to be seen, and the post‑election political landscape will shape the feasibility of any such commission.