Somber ceremonies, moments of silence and demonstrations for hostages; Israel commemorates 1 year since Hamas atrocities

One year after the brutal Hamas massacres that forever changed it, the nation of Israel struggles with how to remember that fateful day. 

The attacks began with a massive rocket and mortar barrage at 6:20 a.m. Moments later, thousands of Hamas terrorists began breaking through the border fences and pouring into the southern Gaza Envelope communities. 

On Monday, one year later, those same communities held memorial ceremonies to mark that dark day. 

Near Kibbutz Re’im, at the site of the Nova Music Festival, at 6:25 a.m., the last track to be played from the festival one year ago was played again. A memorial ceremony was held at the site for those who were murdered, including a moment of silence. President Isaac Herzog was in attendance.

Herzog began a three-day memorial tour of the southern communities, during which he will participate in several memorials and meet with families of the murdered and the abducted. 

“Here exactly a year ago, in this forest and throughout the region, hundreds of our dear sisters and brothers were slaughtered, murdered, kidnapped, killed,” Herzog said at the Re’im memorial. “Innocent civilians, who lived their lives peacefully, who came to celebrate at a party, who went to synagogue, who waged their daily war. Along with them fell many soldiers defending the homeland.” 

Herzog called Oct. 7 “a terrible massacre, the greatest disaster since our [national] resurrection.”

“We will remember this forever, and we will always remember – who kidnapped, who murdered, who raped, who slaughtered. At the same time, we also saw extraordinary mental fortitude. We have a wonderful people, and, on this day, we will strengthen it and call for its unity,” the president continued. 

Herzog continued his call for unity by asking the nation to work together and pray together for the release of the hostages, saying, “We cannot return to being a whole and united people without them returning home.” 

“Together, on this day, we will join together and unite. And I pray that we know how to be discerning and wise in order to come out of this difficult year stronger and with greater hope in our hearts. We won't be able to do that if we don't bring the hostages home. Our civilians, sisters, and brothers, who are there in the tunnels in Gaza. And I hope, pray, cry out and work in every way together with all the people of Israel for their immediate return home. Because we cannot return to being a whole and united people without them returning home. We will act in every way and pray in every way. I wish all the people of Israel a day of consolation, and a day of hope.” 

At Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a memorial for families of those murdered at the kibbutz was held. The event was attended by the two surviving members of the emergency squad, who fought against the terrorists for hours on that morning one year ago, trying to save their neighbors. 

Varda Goldstein, whose son Nadav and granddaughter Yam were murdered in the massacre, said, “You are the loved and the brave who were brutally murdered by the forces of evil. Members of the alert squad who fought to the point of bloodshed. Parents who fiercely defended their children. We remember the day that was, and we will never forget or forgive." 

She concluded her remarks, saying: “We are praying for the return of our hostages. We will rebuild the house that was destroyed, we will rebuild our community.” 

In several of the southern communities, alarms sounded just after 6:30 a.m. as terrorists from the Hamas terror group launched several rockets. The IDF spokesman reported that four launches were identified from the southern Gaza Strip, three of which were intercepted, while the fourth landed in an open area. 

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum held a demonstration outside of the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring the hostages back home. 

An alarm was sounded at 6:29 a.m. and was followed by speeches from hostage family members, some of whom read the last messages they received from their abducted loved ones. 

“Today, exactly one year ago, hundreds of people in pajamas were kidnapped from their beds, from a party where they were celebrating life, or from their military base,” the Forum said in a statement.

“One hundred and one of them are still held captive by Hamas in Gaza. The families of the hostages arrived this morning outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem and called on him to put an end to the abandonment of their loved ones and return all the hostages in the deal - the living to rehabilitation and the murdered and martyrs to a proper burial in their country.” 

Another ceremony and demonstration for the hostages is planned for Monday evening at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.  

At the Knesset in Jerusalem, Speaker Amir Ohana and Knesset Security Chief Superintendent Shmulik Sabri held a ceremony, lowering the flags to half-mast in memory of those killed in the attacks. 

Ceremonies are also scheduled to be held later on Monday at Kibbutz Nir Oz, Kibbutz Be’eri and Kibbutz Gat, where some of the rescued and released hostages will be in attendance. 

At Kibbutz Kissufim, a local memorial ceremony to honor those killed on Oct. 7, 2023, is planned for 11:00. 

Many broadcast networks across Israel also have special commemorative programs scheduled throughout the day.