Marking One Year Since the October 7 Massacre: Over 1,200 Jews Killed in Israel’s Deadliest Terrorist Attack



October 7 – National Remembrance Day in Israel


In a few hours, 1,200 people were killed, 251 people were captured and taken to Gaza, and according to the latest estimates, 97 people are still being held hostage by Hamas, including 33 who are presumed dead by the IDF


Exactly one year ago, on October 7, 2023, Israel faced an unprecedented tragedy, which permanently changed its history and remained deeply etched in the collective memory.

Palestinian militant groups, led by Hamas, launched an attack that was not just a series of sporadic attacks, but a carefully organized invasion.


ATTACK THAT OPENED HELL ON EARTH

The aggression began with rocket attacks, and then armed members of Hamas crossed the border and infiltrated Israeli soil using a variety of methods, including vehicles and paragliders. Cities and military bases near the border with Gaza have become the scene of hostilities, with reports of massacres, hostage crises and fierce fighting.

One of the most shocking events happened at the NOVA outdoor music festival, where many innocent people lost their lives in a bloody attack. Civilians, including children, were not just collateral damage – they were targeted.

The shock and fear caused by this event was felt not only in Israel but around the world, where reactions were a mixture of sadness, anger and calls for peace.

According to official figures, 1,200 people were killed, 251 people were captured and taken to Gaza, and according to the latest estimates, 97 people are still being held hostage by Hamas, including 33 people who are presumed dead by the IDF.


SHOCK AND FEAR FLOODED THE WORLD

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was one of the first world leaders to condemn the attack by Hamas, calling for the protection of the Jewish people and their right to self-defense. This move showed strong support for Israel, but at the same time Belgrade called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Elie Wiesel once said: “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” This thought points to a deep moral duty not to forget the sufferings of the past, not only for the sake of the victims themselves, but also to ensure that future generations understand the seriousness of those events and recognize the importance of preventing similar crimes.

Eliezer Papo, a professor at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, southern Israel, told several Serbian media outlets that Saturday, October 7, in Israel, when the Hamas attacks began, looked like a day in the Holocaust. The gates of hell were opened.

The Embassy of Israel in Serbia showed media representatives 47 minutes of unedited material. It was horrible to watch… Residents of kibbutzim were brutally killed, burned alive, women were raped, civilians were taken captive, and the bodies of the victims were driven through Gaza as war trophies. This speaks volumes about the scale and monstrosity of the crime and the cold-bloodedness of the Hamas terrorists.


NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY ON THE OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE

The lesson Israel learned on October 7 is that nothing can be taken for granted, and it remains deeply etched in the national consciousness. Even a year after that day, Israel is still healing its wounds, mourning its victims, pleading for the release of its hostages, and facing existential threats from all sides. That has been the story of Israel for the past 76 years, but there has never been a year like this one – and everyone hopes it will never happen again.

In March 2024, the Government of Israel unanimously approved a National Remembrance Day for the October 7 massacre and subsequent war in Gaza, to be held annually on the 24th of Tishri in the Hebrew calendar.

This annual memorial will include two state ceremonies honoring the soldiers and civilians who fell in the war against Hamas and who were killed during the brutal attack by Hamas. This day will be observed separately from Yom Hazikaron (Day of Remembrance of Fallen IDF Soldiers and Victims of Terror), Israel’s Memorial Day, which is held on the 4th of Iyar. Since the 24th of Tishrei falls on Shabbat this year, the first anniversary of the attack will be marked on the Gregorian calendar, on October 7.

The Embassy of Israel in Serbia showed media representatives 47 minutes of unedited material. It was horrible to watch… Residents of kibbutzim were brutally killed, burned alive, women were raped, civilians were taken captive, and the bodies of the victims were driven through Gaza as war trophies…

The initiative for the Remembrance Day came from a draft law in the Knesset, proposed by members of the government and the opposition.

Meanwhile, Israeli lawmakers are working on a bill that would criminalize denying, downplaying or celebrating the massacre. On November 7, a month after the attack, Israel marked a National Remembrance Day for the victims with a minute’s silence at 11:00 a.m. and ceremonies across the country.

Elie Wiesel once said, “For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” This thought points to a deep moral duty not to forget the sufferings of the past, not only for the sake of the victims themselves, but also to ensure that future generations understand the seriousness of those events and recognize the importance of preventing similar crimes.


CEREMONY AT THE YARKON NATIONAL PARK – IN MEMORY OF PAIN, HEROISM AND HOPE

The National Remembrance ceremony will be held on October 7, in Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, on the anniversary of this tragic event. The organizers are the victims’ families, and the participation of more than 20 artists is planned. Tens of thousands of Israelis of various religious and political affiliations are expected to attend. The goal of this event is to unite memory, pain, heroism and hope, and the families of the victims will be presented on stage in addition to the artists.

“I never thought that a ceremony commemorating our downfall could bring optimism,” said Yonatan Shamriz, one of the organizers of the event.

The October 7 tragedy not only shaped Israel’s national consciousness, but also prompted the international community to reflect on the humanitarian aspects of the conflict and the need for peace and security in the region. In light of this tragedy, it is clear that the need for dialogue and understanding is more important than ever. It is clear that in light of all the events that have occurred, there is a noticeable increase in anti-Semitism, and it is clear that this phenomenon is unacceptable. And it is frightening that the principle “without war, there is no peace” repeats itself once again in the Middle East.


Featured image: EBU

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