Israel began commemorating the first anniversary of Hamas’s deadly October 7 attack on Monday, with emotional vigils at massacre sites and rallies calling for the return of hostages.
The unprecedented assault by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip a year ago claimed 1,205 lives, and events are being held across Israel and around the world to mark the occasion.
At 6:29 a.m., President Isaac Herzog observed a moment of silence at Kibbutz Reim, the site of the Nova music festival where at least 370 people were killed by Hamas fighters.
Families of the victims, many in tears, gathered at the memorial, while in Tel Aviv, families of hostages and supporters rallied before dawn, holding banners with pictures of their loved ones, calling for their return.
On Sunday, tens of thousands attended global events to remember the victims of Hamas’s attack and to support Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Solly Laniado, an organizer of a ceremony in Tel Aviv, described the event as deeply touching, held in honor of those lost during the Nova attack.
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The anniversary comes as Israel continues to battle Hamas in Gaza and faces a new front in Lebanon against Hezbollah, a Hamas ally.
Additionally, Israel is preparing to retaliate against Tehran following an Iranian missile attack, raising concerns of a broader regional conflict.
Early Monday, four projectiles were fired from Gaza just minutes after commemorations began, according to the Israeli army. In response, Israel struck Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip.
Hamas later claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, targeting Rafah crossing, Kerem Shalom crossing, and Kibbutz Holit near the border.
Sirens also sounded in northern Israel, which has faced daily rocket fire from Lebanon. President Herzog urged international support for Israel in its ongoing battle against its enemies.
Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack involved the firing of thousands of rockets and assaults on nearly 50 sites, including the Nova festival and farming communities.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has devastated much of Gaza, displacing millions and creating a severe humanitarian crisis.
The death toll from Hamas’s attack stands at 1,205, mostly civilians. Additionally, 251 people were taken hostage, with 97 still held captive in Gaza, including 34 who are presumed dead.
On Monday, an Israeli campaign group announced the death of Idan Shtivi, a 28-year-old hostage who had been abducted from the Nova festival.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to crush Hamas and bring all the hostages home, pledging to achieve victory.
He noted that in the year since the attack, Israel has “completely transformed reality” as it continues its military operations.
Since the start of the conflict, Israel has also carried out strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon, aiming to ensure the return of Israelis who were forced to flee northern Israel due to Hezbollah rocket fire.
The conflict has killed over 1,110 people in Lebanon and displaced more than one million.
Despite heavy losses, Hamas has hailed the October 7 attack as “glorious,” while Hezbollah vowed to continue its fight against Israeli “aggression.”
In Gaza, civilians are desperate for an end to the violence. Mona Abu Nahl, 51, expressed exhaustion from the ongoing war, saying, “I would have put a tent over my destroyed house and sat down, rather than endure this humiliation, hunger, and displacement.” Israa Abu Matar, 26, added, “It feels like the world stopped on October 7.”
Meanwhile, tensions with Iran continue to escalate following an Iranian missile strike last week in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian general Abbas Nilforoushan in a September 27 Israeli strike on Beirut.
Tehran has prepared plans to respond to any potential Israeli reprisal, while Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Iran that it could face a fate similar to that of Gaza or Beirut.
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