By Abigail Philip David
On Monday, Israel began commemorating the first anniversary of the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, which claimed 1,205 lives. Vigils were held at massacre sites, and rallies were organized to call for the return of hostages.
Ceremonies were planned across Israel and worldwide to mark the unprecedented attack launched by Palestinian militants from Gaza. The events began at 6:29 am, the exact time the attack started a year ago. President Isaac Herzog led a moment of silence at Kibbutz Reim, where 370 people were killed at the Nova music festival, the deadliest site of the attack.
Emotional scenes unfolded as families of those killed gathered at memorials. In Tel Aviv, rallies were held before dawn, with participants demanding the return of hostages, holding banners with their pictures.
On Sunday, tens of thousands participated in global events honoring the victims of the attack, while some voiced support for the Palestinian people after a year of conflict in Gaza.
The anniversary comes as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and battles Hezbollah in Lebanon. The situation remains tense, with ongoing strikes and fears of a broader regional conflict. On Monday, the Israeli army reported projectiles fired from Gaza just after the commemorations began, striking Hamas launch sites in response.
Since the attack, Israel has retaliated with massive strikes on Gaza, reducing large areas to rubble and displacing millions. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, with tens of thousands of civilian casualties reported.
Despite the devastation, Hamas called the October 7 attack “glorious” on Sunday, stating that Palestinians were “writing a new history with their resistance.” Hezbollah also pledged to continue its fight against Israel, referring to the country as a “cancerous” entity that must be eliminated.
Meanwhile, people in Gaza, exhausted by the violence and destruction, expressed a desire for peace. Displaced residents shared their suffering after a year of constant bombardment, displacement, and loss.
The conflict also threatens to spill into a larger regional war, with tensions between Israel and Iran intensifying after recent missile strikes and warnings from both sides.
