Israel marked the somber first anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants, the deadliest in the country’s history, which shook the nation to its core and triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. The day unfolded with a series of memorials and rallies across the country, commemorating the tragedy and paying tribute to the victims.
President Isaac Herzog commenced the day with a moment of silence at 06:29 am, the precise moment the attack began, at kibbutz Reim – the site of the Nova music festival targeted by the militants, where at least 370 people were killed. A palpable sense of grief and remembrance pervaded the air as the nation grappled with the anniversary’s weight.
Simultaneously, the Israeli military continued its operations in Gaza, targeting Hamas installations. The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for firing rockets into southern Israel on the anniversary. They declared that their fighters aimed the projectiles at “enemy gatherings” at Rafah crossing, Kerem Shalom crossing, and kibbutz Holit near the border with Gaza.
The day’s events also highlighted the human cost of the conflict. Inside a church in northeastern Thailand, the Sriaoun family gathered to pray for the safe return of their son, Watchara, one of six Thais believed held captive by Hamas since the war’s outset. The family, along with their church members, has been praying every week for his release, but there has been scant news.
The anniversary comes amidst a complex and escalating situation. Israel is engaged in a relentless war in Gaza, facing a new conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and escalating tensions with Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah. This multi-front confrontation has plunged the region into a perilous state of uncertainty, with the potential for a far wider conflagration.
Adding to the anxieties, the Israeli military reported that at least four projectiles were fired from the Gaza Strip shortly after the commemorations began. While three were intercepted by the Israeli air force, one projectile was identified in an open area.
Israel’s military has been actively combating Hamas in Gaza, reporting that it has bombed over 40,000 targets, discovered 4,700 tunnel shafts, and destroyed 1,000 rocket launcher sites in the past year. The military also reported that 726 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the war, including 380 during the initial October 7 attacks and 346 in combat in Gaza. Additionally, 4,576 soldiers have been injured since that date.
The anniversary of the Hamas attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict and its devastating consequences. As the war in Gaza continues, the region faces an uncertain future, marked by violence, displacement, and a complex web of international relations.
