Benjamin Netanyahu threatens Hamas during October 7 memorial

During a memorial service in Jerusalem for the victims of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the subsequent war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued threats against those involved in the massacre. Netanyahu stated, “There will be no Hamas rule in Gaza,” and warned that anyone involved in the attacks or the holding of hostages is “living on borrowed time.”

The memorial marks three years since the initial attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 individuals taken hostage into the Gaza Strip. Since the onset of the conflict, health authorities in Gaza report that more than 74,000 Palestinians have been killed. While a ceasefire has largely been in effect since October 2025, lethal attacks continue to occur.

The anniversary coincides with a critical period in Israeli politics, as the country prepares for parliamentary elections on October 27. Current polling suggests that neither Netanyahu’s camp nor his opponents are expected to secure an absolute majority.