Israeli strike hits Gaza vehicle as Tel Aviv protesters demand October 7 inquiry

An Israeli airstrike on a civilian vehicle in Gaza killed one person and injured 11 others on Sunday as Israel prepares to mark three years since the October 7 attacks.

An Israeli strike targeting a vehicle in Gaza on Sunday resulted in one Palestinian death and at least 11 injuries, France 24 reported. While the Israeli military stated the operation targeted a Hamas militant, Palestinians have noted an increase in airstrikes and gunfire across the region over the last month. France 24 noted that more than 75,000 people have been killed in Gaza and much of the enclave has been destroyed during the conflict.

In Tel Aviv, protesters gathered at Hostages Square for a weekly demonstration ahead of the upcoming anniversary of the October 7 assault. According to France 24, attendees called for an independent state inquiry into the decisions and events surrounding the attack. The initial Hamas-led assault resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and the taking of more than 250 hostages, based on figures provided by Israeli authorities.

Al Jazeera reports that political tension in Israel is mounting with elections scheduled in one month. The discourse has focused heavily on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s prior knowledge of the October 7 events. Netanyahu is currently suing an Israeli newspaper over reports regarding this issue, while Al Jazeera noted that right-wing media outlets have dismissed the relevance of the claims. The outlet highlighted a lack of media coverage concerning the impact of Israeli military actions within Gaza.

Background

The Hamas-led assault on October 7 triggered a prolonged conflict that has caused widespread destruction in Gaza. In Israel, the lead-up to the three-year anniversary has been marked by ongoing advocacy from the families of hostages and debate over government accountability.