Israelis are gathering to commemorate the October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people, saw 251 taken hostage, and sparked a devastating war in Gaza. The attack, led by Hamas militants, was the deadliest against Israel. Families will mourn at intersections, bomb shelters, and the site of a music festival that was overrun. This is the first anniversary that all hostages are home, marking a new stage of grief for Israelis.
For Palestinians, the anniversary brings another day of living with the results of Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, with most of the 2 million population living in vast, squalid tent camps. Large parts of Gaza's cities have been reduced to rubble, and over half the territory remains in Israeli military hands. Despite a ceasefire deal, Israeli strikes continue almost daily.
Elkana Bohbot, 37, a released hostage, is marking the anniversary in Israel for the first time after being released from 738 days of captivity. He was abducted from the Nova music festival and held 50 meters underground in a dark, damp tunnel. Bohbot has undergone rehabilitation, written a book, and begun a speaking career. His wife recently gave birth to a daughter, fulfilling a promise he made to himself in captivity.
In Gaza, Palestinians struggle to recover from the devastating war. Israel's offensive has displaced around 90% of the population, often multiple times. Restrictions on goods and aid have contributed to a severe hunger crisis. The territory's Health Ministry reports over 74,000 Palestinians killed, with around half being women and children. Since a ceasefire took effect, 1,145 Palestinians have been killed, and seven Israeli soldiers have died.
The anniversary comes amid a radically altered Middle East. A contentious election in Israel at the end of the month hangs over this year's commemoration. The government's official memorial services took place on October 5, closer to the Hebrew-calendar anniversary. The attack set in motion a cascade of events leading to wars across the Middle East as Israel confronted Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
The conflict has had far-reaching consequences. Israel has seized swaths of territory in Syria and Lebanon, where over 300,000 Lebanese remain displaced. The US joined Israel in attacking Iran's military and nuclear program, battering Iran and upending global markets. Violence has also risen across the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where extremist settlers have attacked Palestinians and destroyed their property.
Hamas portrayed the October 7 attack as a response to decades of Israeli military occupation, land seizures, and settlement construction. However, the Palestinians' dream of an independent state appears even more distant. The ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and beyond continue to affect millions of people, with no end in sight.
Key points
- Israelis are marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attack that killed 1,200 people and sparked a devastating war in Gaza.
- Palestinians in Gaza continue to struggle with the aftermath of the war, facing a severe hunger crisis and ongoing violence.
- The conflict has had far-reaching consequences, leading to wars across the Middle East and a radically altered regional landscape.
