As Israel marks one year since the start of its devastating war with Hamas, the streets of Tel Aviv, one of the country’s busiest cities, appear alive with activity. In bustling entertainment districts, cafes and restaurants are filled with diners enjoying a typical evening out. Re’s music, chatter, and life. Yet, this façade of normalcy is continually interrupted by the presence of posters, banners, and signs depicting hostages still held captive in Gaza. A stark reminder that Israel remains at war, scarred by the deadliest attack in its history.
On October 7 last year, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented assault, killing more than 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. As the war enters its second year, many in Israel are still grappling with the trauma of that day. The haunting absence of hostages, the ever-present threat of missile strikes from Hezbollah in the north, and the lingering conflict in Gaza have left the Israeli public in a state of uncertainty, depression, and anger.
While life in Israel may seem to have returned to a semblance of normalcy on the surface, war has cast a shadow over virtually every aspect of daily life. Many Israelis attempt to maintain a routine, but constant tension and fear of escalation make it impossible to escape the reality of ongoing conflict.
“Conversation about the situation is always re,” said Zeev Engelmayer, an activist whose daily illustrations of hostages and Israel’s new reality have become a symbol of the nation’s struggle. “Even those sitting in coffee shops are talking about it. It’s impossible to escape it. It has entered into every vibration of our life.”
A Nation Shattered
Hamas attack on October 7 shattered the sense of security and stability that many Israelis once felt. For decades, Israel has faced threats from neighboring countries and militant groups, but the scale and brutality of the Hamas assault left the nation in shock. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to still be alive. Meanwhile, Israelis have endured continuous attacks—missile strikes from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, and fatal shootings and stabbings—pushing the country to the brink of further escalation.
Adding to growing unease is Israel’s increasing isolation on the world stage. As conflict continues, the Israeli government has been accused of committing war crimes in Gaza, leading to mounting international criticism. Israeli media, largely focused on internal struggle, has reported little on devastation in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll is reported to exceed 41,000. Many Israelis, preoccupied with their trauma, are only marginally aware of broader destruction.
At the same time, re are deep divisions within the country about how to end conflict. While secular Jewish Israelis are increasingly calling for a cease-fire to secure the release of hostages, a majority of right-wing Israelis, who form the base of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, support continuing war. A recent poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 61% of right-wing Jewish Israelis back the war’s continuation.
Hopelessness and Fatigue
For many Israelis, this prolonged state of conflict has led to a sense of hopelessness. Historian Tom Segev reflected on the emotional toll war has taken. “I’m almost 80 — we grew up in this country with a feeling that we have short wars, and we win m quickly,” Segev said. “We’re not used to a long war. We’ve always believed that Israel, born from the ashes of the Holocaust, was a success story. Now, it feels like we’re going backward.”
Se feelings of despair are amplified by constant reminders of war. At a recent Hebrew University graduation ceremony in Jerusalem, a large yellow ribbon was placed at the front of the stage in honor of a student who couldn’t attend because his brother had been killed in Gaza just days before. Such moments are becoming all too familiar, as war continues to affect every facet of Israeli life.
Hostages, in particular, remain a powerful symbol of war’s ongoing human cost. Signs calling for ir release are plastered throughout the country, from trees in Tel Aviv to bus stops in Jerusalem. For those directly impacted, pain is unbearable. Six hostages were confirmed dead in August, further deepening the country’s grief.
Division and Protest
aftermath of Hamas’ attack briefly united the country, but unity was short-lived. Divisions have reemerged, particularly as criticism of government’s handling of war grows louder. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend an alternative commemoration ceremony marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attack. The government’s official ceremony, prerecorded without a live audience, is seen by many as an attempt to avoid public outrage and potential disruptions.
“thing we lost on October 7—and we haven’t gotten it back—is our feeling of security,” said Muli Segev, executive producer of the popular Israeli sketch comedy show Eretz Nehederet. “Despite everything, we had managed to create a life here that was pretty open and Western. But now, everything feels like a pause between wars.”
In the early months of the war, Israeli television and satire shows offered a gentle reflection of shared national trauma. Over time, however, the tone has shifted to a more pointed criticism of the government and military. One sketch reimagined hostage negotiation as if captives were children of Israeli politicians—suggesting they would have been released within hours if that were the case.
Life Amid War
Despite the ongoing war, many aspects of Israeli life have resumed. Beaches are full, cafes are bustling, and concerts and sports events are back on schedule. Yet, beneath this veneer of normalcy lies the ever-present fear of violence. Bomb shelters are now a familiar sight, and school cancellations due to rocket attacks are frequent. Domestic travel is also restricted in certain areas due to conflict.
“It’s a nightmare; we’re just getting used to it,” said Maya Brandywine, a 33-year-old graphic designer. “I have so little hope. I’m sure the situation will only get worse.”
More than 60,000 Israelis from the northern border with Lebanon have been displaced, while thousands from southern towns attacked on October 7 are living in temporary housing. Reserve soldiers are on a second or third tour of duty, further straining families and jobs. The emotional and physical toll of war is pushing many Israelis to its limits.
Clinging to Hope
Still, re are those who try to find hope amid despair. Café Otef, located in Tel Aviv, serves as both a symbol of resilience and a reminder of conflict’s lasting impact. Run by residents of Re’im, one of the kibbutzim struck during the initial Hamas attack, the café offers a space for people to connect while supporting those affected by war.
“We must take ourselves out of bed and continue to live and to work and to have hope,” said Reut Karp, whose ex-husband was killed in the October 7 attack. “Because without this hope, we don’t have anything.”
As Israel enters the second year of its war with Hamas, the country remains torn between a desire to move forward and the harsh reality that the conflict is far from over. Deep wounds inflicted by war will take time to heal, but for many Israelis, the question of whether normal life can ever truly resume remains unanswered.
- The defining images of the Israel-Hamas war CNN
- Opinion | The Year American Jews Woke Up The New York Times
- One year in, war casts a shadow over every aspect of life in Israel The Associated Press
