Thousands rally in Tel Aviv demanding state inquiry into October 7 failures

Thousands of people demonstrated in Tel Aviv ahead of Israel's legislative elections, demanding a state inquiry into the security failures that enabled the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The protest was organized by the October Council, a group founded by families of victims and hostages from that day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has refused to establish such a commission, despite widespread public support. All major opposition candidates in Tuesday's election have pledged to create one if they win. The event, held three days before the vote, was described by organizers as the culmination of a three-year struggle for truth and accountability. Final permitted polls show a tight race, with Netanyahu's bloc at 50 seats and the opposition led by Gadi Eisenkot at 52, far short of the 61 needed to govern.