Israel has heightened security and issued travel warnings as it approaches the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. The Israeli National Security Council (NSC) warned of increased risks of attacks targeting Israeli and Jewish communities by Iran and its allied groups, considering the date a significant symbolic milestone.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also released travel advisories, stating that Iran, Hamas, and other jihadi groups view October 7 as a crucial symbolic date, potentially leading to attack attempts in various countries. The NSC specifically advised against travel to Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland, and Egypt’s Sinai region for October 7, 2026.
Ongoing Security Concerns and Humanitarian Crisis
The October 7, 2023 attack saw Hamas-led fighters launch a devastating assault on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. This event triggered a prolonged and destructive conflict, leaving a deep psychological impact on Israel’s border communities. Memorials commemorate those killed while fleeing, and damaged vehicles serve as stark reminders. Daganit Bar Hel, a resident of Sderot, a city near Gaza, described the lasting trauma, stating the smell of burnt meat still reminds her of “the smell of hell.” An Associated Press (AP) report indicated some Israelis reacted positively to the destruction in Gaza, visible from Sderot.
Gaza continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis and widespread devastation. Recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City on October 4, 2026, killed two prominent commanders of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group, and five civilians, including four women, in a residential building. Health officials in Gaza reported seven bodies and 20 injured individuals admitted to hospitals within a 48-hour period.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has halted electricity supply to Gaza and blocked fuel for its sole power plant. Generators, solar panels, and their maintenance parts are restricted under a “dual-use” policy. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that as of April 26, 2026, Israeli forces have killed 811 people and injured 2,278 since a ceasefire was implemented. As of April 10, 2026, the United Nations (UN) reported that 589 aid workers, including 397 UN staff and allied team members, have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.
Historical Context and Future Outlook
The Gaza Strip’s history is marked by conflict, with Israel occupying it after the 1967 Six-Day War, following Egyptian control. Israel fully withdrew from Gaza in 2005, but Hamas seized control in 2007. The October 7, 2023, attack, dubbed ‘Al-Aqsa Flood,’ prompted Israel’s ‘Operation Swords of Iron.’ Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir stated on April 28, 2026, that the Israeli army might continue fighting throughout 2026 and would require more soldiers for its increasing responsibilities.
On January 14, 2026, the administration of former US President Donald Trump announced a transition to the second phase of a ceasefire agreement, including a Palestinian technical committee for Gaza’s administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on January 1, 2026, reiterated that Hamas must be completely disarmed. Israel is preparing for parliamentary elections on October 27, 2026. Netanyahu has stated that while Israel does not seek to conquer or govern Gaza after the war, a “credible force” might enter to prevent extremism. An international stabilization force is intended to lead the disarmament process, but Hamas has shown reluctance. Regionally, Iran recently sent a peace proposal to the United States, but former US President Donald Trump, according to Reuters, expressed dissatisfaction.
Nepal’s Stake in the Region
The ongoing situation in Israel also has implications for Nepal. Nepal is in the process of sending workers to Israel, with a demand for 10,464 Nepali assistant workers for long-term care centers, predominantly women, by September 8, 2026. A labor agreement between Nepal and Israel was established in 2077 BS, building on a 2016 pilot project. Nepali citizens typically work in caregiving, agriculture, and animal husbandry sectors in Israel. The October 7, 2023, Hamas attack tragically resulted in the deaths of 10 Nepali students, and one Nepali citizen, Bipin Joshi, was abducted during the incident.
Unanswered Questions Remain
Several aspects of the conflict remain unclear. Israeli state media, Kan TV, reported that a recent Israeli attack in Gaza targeted senior Hamas official Ali al-Amoudi, but this has not been independently confirmed. Hamas has claimed any civilian targeting during the October 7, 2023, attack was coincidental and occurred during clashes, while denying Israeli allegations of sexual abuse by its fighters.
Additionally, Israel holds over 10,000 Palestinian prisoners, with 3,376 under administrative detention without public charges, including 95 children and 22 women. The countries that will contribute troops to the proposed international stabilization force have also not yet made public commitments.
