Israel [Israel](https://www.gov.il/en) conducted additional air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the third anniversary of the Oct 7 Hamas offensive, resulting in at least two deaths reported by local officials. The attacks were heard as loud explosions near the site of the former Nova music festival, where families gathered at dawn to remember the more than 300 concert‑goers killed in the 2023 tragedy.
What casualties were confirmed? In Gaza City, [Al‑Shifa Hospital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Shifa_Hospital) recorded two fatalities from an overnight Israeli strike. Gaza’s civil‑defence agency identified one victim as Mohamed Tamous, a volunteer with the emergency rescue service operating under the authority of [Hamas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas).
Why is the anniversary significant? The date marks three years since Hamas militants launched a large‑scale assault on Israel on Oct 7, prompting a prolonged conflict that has seen repeated cycles of violence and civilian suffering in the [Gaza Strip](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip).