As Israel reflects on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack that claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals and resulted in approximately 250 people being taken hostage, the ongoing conflict continues to take a heavy toll. Recent estimates indicate that nearly 42,000 people have died, and around 2.3 million have been displaced due to the violence that followed the initial attack. On this poignant anniversary, Hamas executed missile strikes on Tel Aviv, prompting a significant response from Israeli forces targeting the Jabalia refugee camp, the largest camp in Gaza, both from the air and on the ground.
In an interview with a local reporter, it was highlighted that memorial ceremonies and protests took place in Jerusalem and southern Israel around 6:29 AM local time—the exact moment one year ago when Hamas launched its assault, firing rockets and breaching the border. A gathering outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saw around 300 people holding photographs of loved ones, taking a moment to observe silence as sirens wailed in the background.
“President Isaac Herzog led a memorial event in Reim, a site affected during last October’s tragic music festival attack that resulted in over 360 fatalities and numerous hostages,” the reporter noted. “The ceremony began with the last song played during that fateful occasion, evoking deep emotions among the attendees.”
In Tel Aviv, a memorial organized by the families of the deceased was anticipated to attract tens of thousands. However, the sound of air raid sirens significantly impacted attendance. On the same day, Hamas’s missile attacks triggered alarms twice in central Israel, causing many residents to scramble for safety in shelters. Meanwhile, supporters of Hamas, the Islamic Jihad organization, claimed responsibility for targeting towns near Gaza, including Sderot and Nir Am.
“Israeli forces also continued their operations unabated,” the reporter added. “Palestinian residents reported that Israeli tanks entered Jabalia on the anniversary and began shelling the area. Following this, the Israeli military issued expanded evacuation orders to northern towns, such as Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. According to Palestinian health officials, the air and ground assaults on Jabalia led to at least 52 fatalities.”
Furthermore, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on the Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, aiming to target Hamas operatives and dismantle military infrastructure in Jabalia, resulting in the deaths of numerous militants. The military emphasized that these operations would persist to prevent Hamas from regrouping.
