Today, Israel marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
Memorials were held across the country, beginning at dawn at the site of the Nova festival, where many lost their lives during the initial assault.
A tribute also took place at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where one-quarter of the residents were either killed or abducted by Hamas fighters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Leon, lit candles at the “Iron Swords” monument in honor of the victims.
“We went through a terrible massacre a year ago, and we stood up as lions,” Netanyahu declared.
He acknowledged that Israel now faces war on seven fronts, involving Hezbollah, Iran, and other adversaries, with the Israeli military escalating operations across multiple battlefields.
The war, which erupted after Hamas’ assault, has so far claimed over 41,000 lives in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health authorities, though independent verification remains difficult.
These figures are believed to include both civilians and militants. On Israel’s side, 728 soldiers, reservists, and local security personnel have been killed, and 4,576 have been wounded since the conflict began.
The dead also include 56 soldiers killed due to friendly fire or military accidents.
In Gaza, Israeli forces continue their ground operation in northern Jabaliya, encircling areas where Hamas is believed to be rebuilding.
Over the past year, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have struck 40,300 targets in Gaza, located 4,700 tunnel shafts, and killed 17,000 Hamas operatives.
Of these, at least 1,000 were inside Israel on October 7, 2023, when gunmen attacked southern Israeli communities, killing 1,200 civilians and abducting 251 people to Gaza.
Hostage negotiations remain a key issue, with over 100 captives still held by Hamas. President Joe Biden: “We will never give up until we bring all the remaining captives home safely.”
In Lebanon, Hezbollah has been heavily involved in the conflict, launching 12,400 rockets and missiles into Israel, and causing significant destruction.
In retaliation, Israel has carried out intense bombing raids on southern Beirut, killing more than 800 Hezbollah militants, including 90 commanders.
On the anniversary of the Hamas assault, five Israelis were injured in a Hezbollah rocket attack on Haifa, one of the northern cities hit in this conflict.
26,000 rockets, missiles, and drones have been launched at Israel from multiple fronts since the beginning of the war, including from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.
The IDF data also reveals that 13,200 projectiles have been fired from Gaza alone.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned Israel’s military actions, accusing the country of committing genocide in Gaza, saying, “Just as Hitler was stopped by an alliance of humanity, Netanyahu and his murder network will be stopped in the same way.”
As the situation continues to escalate, calls for ceasefire and humanitarian relief grow louder. Vice President Kamala Harris expressed the need for a ceasefire deal, saying, “It is far past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal to end the suffering of innocent people.”
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over Israel’s bombardment of civilian areas, particularly near Lebanon’s border with Syria.
The organization warned that Israeli airstrikes on key border crossings are endangering civilians and obstructing humanitarian efforts.
One year after the initial October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the region remains volatile, and no clear end to the conflict in sight.
