5,000 March in Tel Aviv to Demand State Probe Before Election

Thousands of Israelis converged on Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, demanding an independent state commission of inquiry into the security failures that allowed the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack to occur. The demonstration marked the third anniversary of the attacks and took place just three days before the country’s first general election since the Gaza war began.

The rally was organized by the October Council, a coalition founded by families of captives taken to Gaza. The group has spent three years pressing for accountability, arguing that the current government has failed to prevent the breach that triggered the war. Organizers stated their goal is to uncover the truth and establish a commission with full independence from political influence.

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, joined the crowd as the main center-right rival to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Chants of "Who's coming? The next prime minister" echoed through the plaza as Eisenkot addressed the demonstrators. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, also attended, while lawyer Dan Adin described the march from Rabin Square as a display of massive popular energy.

Polls indicate a dead heat in Tuesday’s election, with Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and Eisenkot’s opposition camp projected to secure similar numbers of seats. Neither side is currently expected to command a majority in the Knesset. The outcome will influence whether Israel resumes strikes on Iran, a move Eisenkot is viewed as less likely to pursue than Netanyahu.

Ahead of the gathering, the October Council warned police of potential disruptions from pro-government agitators. The group sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner after receiving alerts that entities linked to the ruling coalition intended to interfere with the event. Law enforcement was notified to manage the crowd and maintain order during the demonstration.

Netanyahu’s coalition has previously rejected calls for an independent probe, proposing instead a political commission where half the members would be appointed by the government and the other half by opposition legislators. Opposition leaders have vowed to boycott such a body, viewing it as a tool to manage the narrative rather than establish the facts.