One Year After Hamas Massacre, Israel Faces Renewed Rocket Fire Amid Memorials
President Herzog led memorials marking the October 7 anniversary at the ‘Nova’ Festival site, where 360 were killed last year. Ceremonies honored the 1,200 lives lost in the attack as Israel thwarted a rocket barrage from Gaza
As Israel marks the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, the country grapples with the aftermath of the deadliest day in its history. The attacks left 1,200 Israelis dead, with over 250 hostages taken into Gaza. A year later, approximately 100 hostages are believed to be still held by Hamas, and the trauma of October 7 continues to overshadow daily life in Israel.
The failure to return the hostages remains a particularly painful issue, with ongoing protests calling on the government to do more. Hostage families, many of whom gathered in Jerusalem near the Prime Minister’s residence on Monday, held images of their loved ones and demanded their safe return. The protests also reflect growing public dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war, with increasing calls for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Israel’s response to the attack has been characterized by a year of intense military operations aimed at dismantling Hamas and eliminating threats along its borders. Nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities, while much of the Strip lies in ruins, and millions have been displaced. The war has also expanded beyond Gaza, with Hezbollah in Lebanon launching attacks on northern Israel and fears of further escalation with Iran.
On the morning of the anniversary, Hamas fired rockets from Gaza, though Israeli air defenses intercepted most of them. Sirens rang out in Tel Aviv and its suburbs as five rockets targeted the crowded metro region. Two rockets breached Israel’s air defenses, impacting in Holon and Kfar Habad, east of the city, causing damage but no casualties.
In Re’im, President Herzog led a somber ceremony at the ‘Nova’ Festival site, where 360 people were massacred. At 6:29 a.m., Herzog stood with bereaved families for a moment of silence and lit memorial candles in honor of those lost. Across Israel, similar ceremonies were held, with citizens remembering the day that changed the nation’s trajectory.
Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog led memorials across the country, remembering both the civilians and soldiers who lost their lives in the initial attack and in the months of war that followed.
Netanyahu, alongside Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, visited a memorial in the capital dedicated to the 87 Jerusalemite civilians and soldiers who have fallen since October 7. The memorial, located opposite the National Library, was dedicated last month to honor the fallen and the resilience of Jerusalem in the face of tragedy.
Speaking at the site, Netanyahu vowed to bring the hostages home and honored the “heroes who fell for the defense of the homeland.” He acknowledged the nation’s ongoing trauma, stating, “We went through a terrible massacre a year ago, and we stood up as a people, like lions.”
“From Jerusalem, a city that is the symbol of unity comes the message of unity,” Lion said, emphasizing that Israel’s strength lies in its solidarity and echoing the call for national unity. “Only together will we win.”
