Israel Hosts UN Event on Hamas Attack Anniversary, Vows Hostage Release as Top Priority
Israel marked one year since Hamas’ deadly attack at a United Nations event on Monday, vowing to continue fighting until all hostages held by the group in Gaza are freed. The commemorative event, hosted by Israel, saw strong criticism of the UN’s failure to directly condemn Hamas for the massacre.
Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, sharply criticized the world body for its focus on Gaza’s situation, stating, “The UN has failed in its most basic mandate to protect the innocent and condemn evil.” The criticism followed the UN’s resolutions, which centered on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza rather than condemning Hamas’ actions during the attack.
The Hamas assault on October 7, 2023, killed approximately 1,200 people and saw around 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli figures. Over 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza.
The United States, a key ally of Israel, had vetoed a Security Council resolution in October 2023 that would have condemned Hamas. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, speaking at Monday’s event, lamented the reluctance of some UN members to condemn Hamas, adding, “There are those in the region pushing the Middle East toward broader war,” referencing groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
