A Year Later, War Casts a Shadow Over Every Aspect of Life in Israel

A year has passed since Israel’s war with Hamas, and while life may appear to have returned to normal on the surface, the conflict’s impact lingers. People in Tel Aviv’s lively entertainment district sit outdoors, clinking glasses to music, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. Yet, the reminders of war are impossible to ignore. Photographs of hostages held in Gaza hang from lampposts and shop windows, a stark symbol of the ongoing crisis and the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

Many Israelis are still grappling with the trauma of the October 7 Hamas attack. With hostages still in captivity and a new front with Hezbollah in the north, frustration, depression, and anger have become pervasive as the conflict stretches into its second year. Uncertainty about the future clouds everyday life, despite efforts to carry on.

“There’s always a conversation about the situation,” explains activist Zev Engelmeier, whose daily postcard project reflects Israel’s harsh new reality. Hostages have become a permanent fixture in anti-war protests, and even in coffee shops, the topic is unavoidable. “It’s impossible to escape,” Engelmeier adds.

The October attack, which killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 taken hostage, shattered the country’s sense of security. Around 100 hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Israelis are facing missile strikes from Iran and Hezbollah, explosive drones from Yemen, and daily threats within the region. The conflict has also led to accusations of war crimes against Israel, increasing its international isolation.

Historian Tom Segev, reflecting on the country’s long-standing conflicts, said, “I’m almost 80 years old, and I feel like we’ve had smaller wars that we won quickly. But we are not used to long wars.”