Thousands gathered over the weekend for poignant commemorations marking the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The assault led to the deaths of 1,205 individuals, primarily civilians, according to an AFP count based on official Israeli statistics, which also includes hostages who died while in captivity.
In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in the deaths of at least 41,870 people in the Gaza Strip, mostly civilians, as reported by the territory’s health ministry, which the United Nations has deemed reliable. The conflict has also led to military operations against Hezbollah and potential actions against Iran, particularly after Israel faced an attack involving 200 ballistic missiles from Iran last week.
Candlelight vigils, memorials, and marches were held in various cities, including Tel Aviv, London, Paris, and Berlin, to mark the anniversary.
In Tel Aviv, friends and family of the 370 victims of the Nova dance festival massacre held a candlelight vigil at a concert hall on Sunday evening.
In London, thousands gathered in Hyde Park, waving Israeli flags and holding placards that read “bring them home,” featuring images of hostages still held by Palestinian militants in Gaza. Attendees lit candles in memory of those killed on October 7, with Henry Grunwald, chair of the organizing committee, stating, “We want to remember the people who have been brutally murdered and we want the world to remember.”
Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily is among the 251 individuals taken hostage by Hamas, expressed her longing to embrace her daughter again, saying, “I need to hug her again and I need to see her smile,” as she fought back tears.
In Berlin, around 650 people attended a commemoration, with police detaining 26 individuals who shouted insults at the participants. Meanwhile, thousands gathered in Paris on Sunday to honor the attack’s victims. Robert Zbili, president of the National Jewish Fund, emphasized their support for Israel and the memory of those killed and kidnapped that day.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who visited the site of the attack, remarked that the country is “still in pain” a year after the Hamas assaults. Before embarking on a three-day commemoration tour, he stated, “A year has passed since life came to a halt… We are all still in pain, and we seek to make space for national mourning.”
He also vowed to “rebuild and restore” Israel, asserting that efforts will continue until all hostages are released from Hamas.
In a video message, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, urged the UN to condemn Hamas in a formal resolution.
As the anniversary approached, tensions rose, raising concerns that the ongoing conflict could escalate into a broader war. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country. We must never look the other way in the face of hate.” He called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and for unrestricted aid to flow into Gaza, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the suffering of civilians amid the ongoing conflict.
