RE’IM, Israel. On the anniversary of the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, Israelis gathered for solemn ceremonies to remember the lives lost during the surprise Hamas-led raid of October 7, 2023, which triggered ongoing wars on two fronts. The raid, which claimed the lives of over 1,200 civilians, continues to resonate across the region, with the conflict between Israel and Gaza showing no signs of resolution.
In a stark reminder of the conflict’s endurance, Hamas fired a barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv on Monday, signaling its determination to continue the fight despite a year of devastation in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, vowed to persist with its attacks, despite suffering significant losses in the past year.
The October 7, 2023, attack, which struck Israel during a major Jewish holiday, deeply shocked the nation and exposed vulnerabilities in its military defense. A year later, the ripple effects of that surprise assault remain evident. Cease-fire efforts have faltered, and around 100 hostages taken by Hamas during the attack are still unaccounted for—many are believed to have perished.
As war persists in Gaza, Israel now faces another front with Hezbollah in Lebanon, alongside rising tensions with Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah. The region teeters on the edge of a wider conflict as Israel’s military campaign shows no signs of easing.
Commemorations Across Israel, Rockets Disrupt Ceremonies
Across Israel, citizens gathered at memorials, cemeteries, and commemorative events to honor the victims and call for the release of hostages still held in Gaza. President Isaac Herzog joined families at the site of the Nova music festival, where over 360 festival-goers were killed during the attack.
At 6:29 a.m., the precise time Hamas launched its assault a year ago, a moment of silence was observed by the crowd. The ceremony, which included playing a trance track that had been cut off by the initial rocket barrage during the festival, was interrupted by fresh rocket fire from Gaza, echoing the ongoing violence.
Sigal Bar-On, who lost her niece, Yuval Bar-On, and her fiancé, Moshe Shuva, in the attack, expressed her grief, saying, “When we are here, we are near our loved ones.” Many families, still struggling to comprehend the passage of time, echoed similar sentiments. Shimon Busika, who lost his son Yarden at the festival, reflected, “We can’t understand how a year has passed.”
Further rocket fire from Gaza followed shortly after the ceremonies, with four projectiles launched towards the same communities affected a year ago. According to Israel’s military, another five rockets were fired toward central Israel, causing minor injuries and damage.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, the families of hostages held a separate vigil near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, urging the government to do more to secure their release. Shiri Albag, whose daughter Liri is still held captive, called out the government, saying, “We won’t let you rest until all of them are back, every last one of them.”
Addressing the nation, Netanyahu acknowledged the toll of the past year, saying, “We went through a terrible massacre a year ago, and we arose as a nation as lions.” He remains under heavy criticism for the security lapses that allowed the attack and for the ongoing captivity of hostages.
Hezbollah and Hamas Vow to Continue Fighting
In Lebanon, Hezbollah has maintained its barrage of rocket fire against Israel, despite recent Israeli strikes that killed key members of its leadership, including its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli airstrikes have also targeted civilians and infrastructure, including a recent attack in the southern town of Baraachit that killed at least 10 firefighters preparing for a rescue mission, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
In response, Hezbollah released a statement vowing to continue its attacks until Israel halts its operations in Gaza. “Israel was and will remain a deadly, aggressive, cancerous gland that must be eliminated, no matter how long it takes,” the group declared.
While fighting in Gaza has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives and displaced millions, Hamas remains in control of the territory. Israeli forces have intensified their ground operations in Gaza, particularly around the northern town of Jabaliya, where the military aims to root out remaining militants.
With Israel also contending with missile strikes from Iran, which retaliated following the deaths of Nasrallah and Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, the region remains on high alert. Iran’s growing involvement adds yet another layer of complexity to an already volatile conflict.
As Israel marks this tragic anniversary, the country is still far from seeing an end to the wars that continue to reshape the landscape of the Middle East. The commemorations serve as a poignant reminder of the lives lost, the hostages still held captive, and the region’s unresolved conflicts that have dragged on for a year with no resolution in sight.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
