Three years have passed since October 7, 2023, when the armed Palestinian resistance in Gaza broke through the border fortifications and attacked Israel. Three years in which the face of the region and the world changed and in which one of the greatest imperialist crimes in recent history fell upon the Palestinians. Time to take stock: What really happened? Who benefited? And what remains? – A comment from Reiner Matzinke.

First of all, it should be noted that the attack on October 7th was not a spontaneous action by a single group. It was a coordinated military operation by various Palestinian resistance organizations and not only Hamas, but also other armed groups. The operation broke through Israeli barriers, attacked military bases and settlements and took civilians hostage. Their immediate impact was limited: Israel recovered quickly militarily, and the political and military leadership of the resistance was largely destroyed or forced underground.

That at that time, particularly Islamic fundamentalist groups like Hamas were leading the resistance - and notForces oriented towards Marxismlike in the 70s - was also reflected in the events of October 7th. Especially the massacres of the civilian population, for example of young people celebrating at the “Supernova” festival or thatKillby anti-occupation activists, undoubtedly stand in the way of fraternization among the peoples of the region. And yet reportedeven the mirrorabout how Netanyahu really boosted Hamas. The fact that numerous Palestinian resistance organizations have a rather reactionary background is not simply a coincidence.

Who is Hamas?

But the political significance of October 7th lies not only in what happened on that day, but also in what was made of it. Israel used the attack as a casus belli - a reason for war - to continue a strategy that was already in place before October 7th: the destruction of the Gaza Strip as a viable Palestinian area. The massive bombings, the ground offensive, the destruction of residential areas, hospitals and schools - none of this was a spontaneous "reaction", but rather the implementation of a further step that had long been demanded by parts of Israeli politics. October 7th provided legitimacy for what followed.

The myths and their function

There are still countless myths surrounding this day. There was talk of “beheaded babies,” of systematic rape as a weapon of war, of a threat that endangered Israel’s existence. Some of this turned out to be false or grossly exaggerated. The investigations by Al Jazeera and others have also shown that there were serious human rights violations by Hamas fighters and others involved. Nevertheless, the depiction of a monolithic, long-planned “orgy of terror” served one primary purpose: to justify Israeli retaliation.

What happened on October 7, 2023? – Myths and facts

These myths are no coincidence. They fulfill a function. They are intended to mark the break that distinguishes October 7th from everything that came before and thus make the subsequent violence appear unprecedented, necessary and just. But the truth is: The Israeli occupation, the blockade of Gaza, the systematic disenfranchisement of Palestinians – all of this existed long before October 7th. The military outburst was a reaction to this reality.

Netanyahu knew about it – and let it happen

In recent months, new information has come to light that further shifts the picture. Israeli journalist Shlomi Eldarpublished in Haaretzresearch shows that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knew about Hamas's military plans as early as the end of September 2023 - shortly before the attack. The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, warned him in a 45-minute phone call. Netanyahu responded that he had “the situation under control.”

What does that mean? It means that the Israeli leadership was aware of the plans and did nothing. What's more, she refused negotiations that Sinwar - then Hamas leader in Gaza - had offered to ease the blockade and exchange prisoners. These talks failed twice, in 2018 and 2023, due to Netanyahu's refusal to enter into negotiations.

You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to draw a conclusion from this: October 7th was convenient for Netanyahu. It provided the pretext for the complete destruction of Gaza, for the expulsion of the population, for the crushing of the Palestinian resistance, but also for the strengthening of one's own political forces - goals that went far beyond mere “retaliation”.

A crime that didn't quite achieve its goal

Since the beginning of the Israeli counteroffensive called “Operation Iron Swords”, which took place on October 7, 202316 tons of explosive material droppedstarted, what observers call genocide happened in the Gaza Strip. By October 2024, over 41,000 people had been killed directly, 44 percent of them children. The actual number is likely to be much higher. Entire neighborhoods were razed to the ground. Hospitals, schools, universities – destroyed. The remaining population lives in ruins, under constant threat, without adequate supplies and exposed to the elements. The deaths due to this reality are increasing every day.

And yet: The goal of destroying the Palestinian resistance was not achieved. TheIslamic fundamentalist Hamasis militarily weakened, its leadership decimated, but it continues to exist. The resistance has transformed, decentralized, and taken on new forms. The idea he represents, namely the legitimate right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, has not disappeared. She remained alive in the rubble.

This is the crucial irony: Israel destroyed Gaza to destroy the resistance. But it has created a resistance that now resonates around the world. The Palestine solidarity movement in Germany and internationally has experienced an upswing since October 7th that has not been seen in decades. The spark has spread - from Gaza to the universities, to the streets, to a new generation.

The legacy of October 7th

The “peace plan” as a continuation of the war

At the end of 2025, US President Donald Trump presented his “20-point plan” for Gaza. A “historic agreement” to “completely disarm” Hamas, according to Trump. But what followed was not a ceasefire in the true sense. The attacks continued - albeit with less intensity. The focus shifted: from massive bombing to displacement, to building settlements, to the gradual cementing of the occupation.

A look at the numbers shows the extent. Since the so-called ceasefire in October 2025, a further 1,394 Palestinians have been killed, reports UNRWA. 94 percent of the population needs humanitarian assistance for shelter.

Almost a year later: Israel continues to attack Gaza despite Trump's 20-point plan

The situation in the West Bank has also deteriorated dramatically. Over 1,600 settler attacks have been recorded this year, an average of 6.7 per day - an increase from five per day in 2025. More than 4,300 Palestinians have been displaced. Israel has published tenders for 1,234 apartments in the E1 area near East Jerusalem - a project that would effectively divide the West Bank.

States outside the region, especially the USA, are managing this process. The “Peace Council” that Trump chairs includes figures such as Tony Blair, Jared Kushner and Marco Rubio. It is a body that represents the interests of imperialism, not those of the Palestinians. The “peace plan” is not a renunciation of violence, but rather its continuation through other means and legitimization on the international stage.

The elections in Israel – “Bibi” under pressure

Parliamentary elections will take place in Israel at the end of October 2026. Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure domestically. The new research into his knowledge of the attack plans could be dangerous for him. The relatives of the hostages, the survivors of the affected communities, and large parts of Israeli society are demanding clarification. Netanyahu has so far blocked any investigative commission that could clarify his personal responsibility.

Genocide in word and deed: Ben-Gvir shows the true face of Israel

But anyone who believes that Netanyahu will vote out the most radical wing of Israeli politics is wrong. The opposite is the case: forces are growing to his right that are making even more aggressive demands. Open fantasies of expulsion, the complete annexation of the West Bank, the re-establishment of Zionist settlements in Gaza - positions that were considered too openly radical or impractical just a few years ago are now part of the mainstream.

The election campaign is being fought on the backs of the Palestinians, and the question is not whether the occupation will continue, but how brutal. For the Palestinians, this means: No matter who forms the government in Israel, those responsible for the crime in Gaza will not be held accountable. On the contrary. This is not the end of history and steps must first be taken that will lead to peaceful and equal coexistence between the various peoples in West Asia.

The postGaza in ruins, the world in motion - three years after October 7thappeared firstperspective.