On Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) held a solemn ceremony at the Nahal Oz base to commemorate the second anniversary of the attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. This observance was a poignant reminder of the day that left an indelible mark on the nation.

Gathering at the event were members of the General Staff Forum, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Among the attendees was Yiska Steinberg, the widow of the late Col. Yonatan Steinberg, who formerly commanded the Nahal Brigade. As the clock struck 6:29 a.m., the exact time the 2023 attacks commenced, a moment of silence was observed to honor those who lost their lives on that tragic day and in the ensuing conflict.

Following the moment of reflection, Col. Ido Kass, who led the investigation into the battle, provided a detailed recount of the events that transpired at the Nahal Oz base on that fateful morning.

Beyond the ceremony, the General Staff Forum participated in a panel titled “Memory, Responsibility, Heroism, and Hope.” This discussion featured Capt. Bar Zonshine, who commanded forces in combat near the Gaza Strip, and included the voices of Chen and Agam Goldstein-Almog, two former hostages who shared their experiences.

Lt. Gen. Zamir addressed the attendees, stating, “On this day, we confront the failures of October 7th and look towards our future. We honor the civilians, commanders, and troops who courageously sacrificed their lives. Our duty extends to supporting the bereaved families, the troops, the wounded, both physically and emotionally, as well as the survivors of captivity. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our resolve to recover every last fallen hostage; this is our moral obligation.”

“Out of our commitment, we have conducted inquiries into the battles and presented them to the communities. We continue to study, evaluate, and implement the lessons learned. The IDF will not repeat the mistakes of the past,” he added. “It is the IDF’s duty to emerge from the past two years toward growth, renewal, and hope.”

Matan Angrest, one of the 20 living hostages who returned to Israel on Oct. 13, 2025, was captured while defending the Nahal Oz base. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)

Zamir noted that amid the IDF failures on Oct. 7, stories of heroism emerged. He said those who acted selflessly in the face of terror needed to be honored, announcing the establishment of the Decorations Committee, which would fulfill that mission.

Matan Angrest, one of the 20 living hostages who returned to Israel on Monday, was kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, while defending Nahal Oz.

Several hostages’ testimonies indicated that Angrest was subjected to particularly harsh treatment while in captivity, including starvation and torture. The Jerusalem Post reported that Angrest suffers from asthma, which worsened in the damp and humid tunnels.

In April 2025, while Angrest was still in Gaza, former hostage Ron Krivoi — who was released from captivity in November 2023 — spoke to Israel’s Channel 12 and said that Angrest was being severely abused by Hamas, according to The Times of Israel.

“The interrogations he went through happened while still in Israeli territory — that’s where it started. They already connected him to a car battery on the way and tried to revive him. Using car batteries, they electrocuted him,” Krivoi told Channel 12, according to The Times of Israel. “They weren’t able to interrogate him. He probably wasn’t even in a condition to speak because he was badly injured. His injuries were very severe.”

On Monday, all remaining living hostages returned to Israel. So far, Hamas has only handed over the remains of nine out of the 28 deceased hostages the terrorist group is required to hand over according to the ceasefire terms. Two of the deceased hostages whose remains are in Gaza are U.S. citizens, Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. Chen was killed while fighting alongside Angrest.