On Monday, October 7, people around the world commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Gaza War through activities such as vigils and protests. The conflict, sparked by an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, continues to this day, resulting in a significant number of casualties and millions displaced.
Here is a summary of various countries’ commemorative activities on the anniversary of the war based on Reuters reports:
In Israel, the commemoration ceremony began around 6:29 am on Monday, the exact time when last year Hamas militants started launching rockets towards Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lit candles at the Jerusalem Sword Memorial, saying, “We remember the fallen; we remember the need to bring the hostages back.”
Outside Netanyahu’s residence, about 300 people, led by hostage families, raised photos of their loved ones and observed a minute of silence for the deceased when sirens sounded. The Israeli parliament also held a flag-lowering ceremony.
At the site of the Nova Music Festival where Hamas killed thousands and abducted hundreds on October 7, 2023, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, along with grieving families and friends, gathered for mourning.
In the Be’eri community in southern Israel, which was attacked by Hamas a year ago, groups of people walked through the ruins, many wearing yellow shirts. Kobi Ben Ami said, “I see my brother’s house just around the corner… on that bloody day.” Ami’s brother is still held captive by Hamas.
Hostage families gathered at a place in Tel Aviv known as “Hostage Square.” Women formed human chains on the roadside in memory of those still being held in Gaza.
There were no planned official activities in Gaza on Monday. The Israeli military carried out airstrikes and ground offensives in multiple areas. Palestinian medical personnel reported at least 52 fatalities.
Hamas claimed to have launched a missile towards Tel Aviv, while the Israeli military said sirens sounded in central Israel.
Khaled Meshaal, the leader of Hamas’ political office in exile in Qatar, urged Arab and Muslim countries to launch a “new resistance front” against Israel in a speech marking the one-year anniversary of the conflict.
Hamas’ ally, the Islamic Jihad organization, stated its commitment to “armed resistance.”
Some Gazans told Reuters reporters they longed to return to their pre-war normal lives.
Abu Hassan Shaheen said, “Before October 7, 2023, people had dreams. As a father of six children, my biggest concern was how to provide housing for them and marry them off. But after October 7, all of that became a mirage.”
Iran, through its forces and supported armed groups, became involved in escalating conflicts with Israel. Iran reiterated its support for the Palestinian people, describing the events of October 7 last year as a “turning point in the legitimate struggle of the Palestinian people against occupation and oppression.”
The Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah reiterated during the anniversary commemoration that it got involved in the war to support Hamas.
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the leader of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group, said on Sunday that the “front” against Israel is escalating. The Israeli military intercepted a missile coming from Yemen on Monday.
US President Biden condemned the “indescribable brutality” of the attacks on October 7 last year, paying tribute to those killed and abducted, including American citizens. He expressed his continued commitment to upholding Israel’s right to self-defense.
“I believe history will also remember October 7 as a dark day for the Palestinian people, as Hamas launched the conflict that day… We will not cease efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,” Biden stated in a release.
Vice President Harris said, “We must ensure that atrocities like those of October 7 do not occur again. I will do everything in my power to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas.”
At Bondi Beach in Sydney, people held Israeli and Australian flags, silently listening as the names of the hostages still held by Hamas were read aloud.
Jewish students placed teddy bears bound in chains and blindfolded in front of iconic buildings like the Roman Colosseum, each bear wearing a t-shirt with photos of Israeli hostages.
Israel observed a minute of silence at the UN headquarters in Geneva, where over a hundred diplomats from India, Kenya, and Western countries attended the ceremony.
Turkish President Erdogan wrote on the X social media platform, stating that in Gaza, Palestine, and the deaths in Lebanon, not only women, children, babies, and innocent civilians but also humanity and the international system meant to serve humanity have suffered.
UK Prime Minister Starmer said, “It has been a year since these horrific attacks, and we must stand unequivocally with the Jewish community and unite as a country.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited a Jewish Temple in South Tottenham, London.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot attended a memorial service for the victims at the Nova Music Festival massacre site in Jerusalem, saying, “Force must give way to diplomacy. We have been calling for a ceasefire for months.”
President Macron of France said on X, “The pain still exists, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people, our pain, the pain of injured humanity.”
Countries such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, and South Africa also issued statements commemorating this day.