Thousands rally in Tel Aviv for October 7 inquiry

Thousands of people rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday, three days before Israel’s general election, demanding accountability and an independent inquiry into security failures preceding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. The October Council, which organized the demonstration, called for a state commission to investigate how the attack was not prevented. An AFP reporter observed thousands marching from Rabin Square toward Hostages Square, where the rally was held. The October Council was founded by families of people taken captive during the attack and has campaigned for an investigation. Reports said opposition figures Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan attended the gathering. Demonstrations also took place elsewhere in Israel, according to one report. The rally came amid a dispute over how the failures should be investigated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has refused to establish an independent commission and has instead offered a political commission, with half its members appointed by the government and half by opposition lawmakers. Opposition leaders have said they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians. The October Council said it had sent an...