One year after the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, the world observed the anniversary with a wave of demonstrations and memorials. Protests and events took place across the globe, reflecting the deep divisions and emotions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
On Sunday, thousands gathered in cities around the world, expressing support for both Palestinians and Israelis. In Rabat, Morocco, tens of thousands rallied in solidarity with Palestinians and against normalization of ties with Israel. Demonstrators waved Lebanese flags and held portraits of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, chanting slogans like “Resistance does not die” and “The people want an end to normalization.”
Australia witnessed protests in support of Palestinians and Lebanon in various cities, while a pro-Israeli rally took place in Melbourne. One participant, Samantha Gazal, stated her reason for attending the Sydney rally was her frustration with the government’s inaction against the violence. “I can’t believe our government is giving impunity to a violent extremist nation and has done nothing. … We’re watching the violence play out on livestream, and they’re doing nothing.”
In Melbourne, pro-Israel supporters held up posters showcasing Israeli hostages still missing. Jeremy Wenstein, a participant, expressed their feelings of helplessness: “We feel like we didn’t do anything to deserve this. We’re just supporting our brothers and sisters who are fighting a war that they didn’t invite.”
Meanwhile, in Berlin, hundreds of pro-Israeli demonstrators marched near the Brandenburg Gate, chanting “Free Gaza from Hamas!” and “Bring them home,” while holding up photos of hostages still held in Gaza.
Memorial events organized by Jewish communities in Paris and London honored those killed in the October 7 attack and offered prayers for the hostages still held captive.
Security forces in several countries issued heightened security alerts amid concerns about potential violence and terror attacks inspired by the escalating conflict in the Middle East. In Rome, following violent clashes between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and law enforcement on Saturday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her full solidarity with the police and condemned the violence. Thirty police officers and four protesters were injured in the clashes.
Pope Francis, in his Sunday Angelus address from the Vatican, issued a fresh appeal for peace “on every front” and urged his audience not to forget the hostages in Gaza, calling for their immediate release. He also declared Monday, the first anniversary of the attack, a day of prayer and fasting.
The Israeli military campaign in retaliation for the Hamas attack has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 41,870 lives in Gaza, the majority of whom were civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations has verified the accuracy of these figures. Nearly 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive.
Israel has also faced attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and Yemen in the form of missiles, explosive drones, shootings, and stabbings. In late September, Israel shifted its focus to Hezbollah, targeting the militants with exploding pagers, airstrikes, and incursions into Lebanon.
The anniversary of the Hamas attack has brought the world’s attention back to the complex and tragic conflict in the Middle East. Amidst the calls for peace and the release of hostages, the ongoing violence and tensions underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
