On the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre, Israel finds itself reflecting on lessons learned and unlearned. Political figures issued stark warnings about national unity and preparedness, a Nova festival security chief filed suit against the former Shin Bet head, and new details emerged about how close the world came to a second crisis when an Israeli-bound flight was nearly hijacked. Internationally, the legacy of October 7 continues to shape debates in the UK, US and Iran negotiations.

Security

Three years after October 7, questions persist over whether the IDF could again be caught off guard, with analysts noting the military now has greater troop numbers, intelligence capabilities and warning systems, though systemic vulnerabilities remain under scrutiny. In a separate development, it emerged that Israel was prepared to shoot down a flydubai flight carrying 166 Israelis during an attempted hijacking, with fighter jets ready to enter Jordanian airspace had the aircraft continued toward Israel. Meanwhile, Elkana Federman, a Nova festival security chief wounded in the October 7 attack, has filed a lawsuit against former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, alleging that adequate warning would have allowed the festival to be evacuated hours before the attack and that Bar negligently failed to pass full intelligence to the Southern Command.

Politics

Yisrael Beiteinu leader Gadi Eisenkot issued an emergency appeal marking three years since the massacre, warning that "if we continue on the current path, Israel will very soon cease to be the country we know," and calling for citizens to "wake up before it's too late." He was joined by party colleague Shira Shapira and criticised the lack of a state commission of inquiry, exemption from military service, and public division, noting that no government minister had condemned recent incidents against IDF soldiers. A separate commentary echoed these concerns, arguing that despite October 7 being an event that should have reshaped national priorities, political disputes over the format of an inquiry commission have stalled meaningful reform. Elsewhere, the Central Elections Committee ruled that a video Prime Minister Netanyahu filmed during an Israeli Air Force visit contained elements of campaign propaganda, but permitted it to remain on his official accounts as it also conveyed a state security message regarding tensions near Tel Nof airbase. Separately, Religious Zionism's Simcha Rotman defended the judicial reform process and the conscription law debate, denying regret over the party's approach despite having fallen short of its goals in previous years.

International

In Washington, former Biden aide Brett McGurk revealed to the Jerusalem Post that the White House received no advance warning of the October 7 attack, describing the emotional toll on officials, including one meeting in which a hostage's family member learned of her loved one's death in real time. In Britain, tensions over October 7's legacy continue: the creator of a contentious "Zionism is Racism" motion was reported to remain close to an Al-Qaeda operative convicted of plotting an attack on Heathrow Airport, while shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat accused former foreign secretary David Miliband of judging it appropriate to shake hands with an Iranian minister despite Tehran allegedly planning an attack on UK soil. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "pro-Israel and pro-British Jews" but expressed uncertainty over what being a "proud Zionist" means, while condemning recent Green Party conference remarks. London's Metropolitan Police announced strict conditions for planned October 7 anniversary student protests, including a fixed route and warnings that chants of "intifada" would result in arrests, following criticism of its handling of previous demonstrations. In New York, financial filings indicate that millions of dollars earmarked for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new antisemitism strategy could be directed toward organisations with records of anti-Israel advocacy. Across the Atlantic, more than 700 people joined a Progressive Jews memorial event marking the anniversary with messages of hope for both Israelis and Palestinians, while a Jerusalem Post analysis examined how the Arab world continues to process and in some cases deny the events of October 7, with Hamas disputing allegations of sexual violence and civilian targeting. Separately, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is awaiting a final US position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that "only a negotiated agreement can resolve the crisis," after President Trump suggested a deal was close. In France, an estimated quarter of a million people took part in nationwide "Day of Rage" protests over education conditions, prompting clashes with police and comments from President Trump linking the unrest to immigration and Islam.

Other Developments

A 21-year-old man was seriously injured in a violent incident in the village of Shibli in the Lower Galilee overnight, with Magen David Adom paramedics treating him at the scene before evacuating him to Emek Medical Centre in serious condition.

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel