On the eve of decisive elections in Israel, the shockwaves of 7 October 2023 are still being felt throughout the Middle East. The terrorist attack by Hamas left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage, some of whom were released after enduring extreme conditions of detention, whilst others died in captivity. Three years on, Israeli society remains traumatised and, to some extent, oblivious to the war of annihilation waged by the Netanyahu government in retaliation in the Gaza Strip. Civilian casualties are estimated at over 73,000 Palestinians killed, including at least 21,500 children. The enclave now lies in ruins and Hamas, although stripped of some of its leaders, is still rampant.

As a knock-on effect, and following Donald Trump’s intervention alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, the war has since spread to Lebanon, Iran and throughout the Middle East, with the international repercussions we are all aware of. And with no hope of peace in the near future…