Israel Gaza conflict anniversary/ Hezbollah Israel conflict/ Israel Hamas war anniversary/ Gaza hostages/ Lebanon Hezbollah conflict/ Newslooks/ RE’IM, Israel/ Morning Edition/ Israel marked a somber anniversary on Monday, one year after a deadly Hamas attack, amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Memorials were held across Israel, while Hamas fired rockets toward Tel Aviv, and Hezbollah vowed to continue attacks. The conflicts have intensified over the past year, leading to significant casualties, displacement, and heightened regional tensions.
War Rages on Multiple Fronts as Israel Marks Year Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 Attack Quick Looks
- Memorial ceremonies in Israel: Israel honors victims of the 2023 Hamas attack, with families calling for the return of hostages still held in Gaza.
- Ongoing war in Gaza: Israel’s military campaign has devastated Gaza, with 41,000 Palestinians killed and widespread displacement.
- Hezbollah intensifies attacks: Despite heavy losses, Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to fire at Israel, which has launched a limited ground operation across the border.
- Iran’s involvement escalates: Iran vows to retaliate for recent strikes, further intensifying regional tensions.
A Year After Hamas Attack, Israel Fights New Wars in Gaza & Lebanon
Deep Look
Israel commemorated a solemn anniversary on Monday, one year after the deadly Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, which triggered an unprecedented wave of violence and two new wars in Gaza and Lebanon. In remembrance ceremonies held across Israel, crowds honored the hundreds of civilians and soldiers killed in the attack and mourned the hostages who remain in captivity. Meanwhile, ongoing hostilities with Hamas and Hezbollah have plunged the region into deeper conflict.
As Israel’s leaders and families gathered to remember those lost, Hamas marked the anniversary by launching rockets toward Tel Aviv, underscoring the group’s enduring presence in Gaza despite a year of Israeli airstrikes. In Lebanon, Hezbollah continued its own attacks, vowing that its offensive would not cease until Israel withdraws and a ceasefire is established in Gaza.
Remembering the October 7 Attack
The Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border incursion, which caught Israel off guard on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, became the deadliest assault in Israel’s history, killing approximately 1,200 people and resulting in the capture of around 250 hostages. The attack struck a nerve in Israel, eroding confidence in the country’s leadership and military preparedness and igniting widespread calls for accountability.
In remembrance, hundreds gathered at the Nova music festival site near the Gaza border, where hundreds of festivalgoers were killed or taken hostage. At 6:29 a.m., the exact time Hamas launched the initial strike, the crowd observed a moment of silence. Rockets fired from Gaza toward nearby communities during the ceremony only underscored the ongoing threat Israel faces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been criticized for his response to the attack and the prolonged captivity of hostages, attended a memorial in Jerusalem. At the event, families of hostages demanded action to secure the return of their loved ones. Shiri Albag, whose daughter Liri remains in captivity, called on the government to prioritize their release, saying, “We won’t let you rest until all of them are back.”
Continuing Conflict in Gaza and Lebanon
Following the October attack, Israel launched a relentless bombing campaign in Gaza, where more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to local health officials. The campaign has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and has left many in severe humanitarian need.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah ramped up its own attacks on Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Although Israeli airstrikes have killed many high-ranking Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, the group’s forces continue to fire rockets and missiles from southern Lebanon into Israel. Over the past year, the conflict has claimed the lives of more than 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics, and Hezbollah fighters, and has displaced 1.2 million people.
On Sunday, Israeli forces encircled Jabaliya in northern Gaza, engaging in a major military operation aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters. In Lebanon, an Israeli strike on Saturday killed 10 firefighters in Baraachit, highlighting the toll on emergency responders working amidst the violence.
Rising Regional Tensions with Iran
In addition to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel is now in a mounting standoff with Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has responded to the death of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general by threatening to retaliate. An Iranian ballistic missile strike last week marked one of the most direct escalations of the conflict.
In a statement on Monday, Hezbollah pledged to continue fighting until Israel agrees to a ceasefire in Gaza, describing Israel as an “aggressive, cancerous gland that must be eliminated.” The statement further underscores the growing likelihood of a regional war involving multiple nations and armed groups.
Israel’s Limited Ground Campaign in Lebanon
After a series of Hezbollah attacks, Israel launched a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon to push back Hezbollah forces. The operation, however, has resulted in Israeli casualties, with nine soldiers killed in close combat. The Israeli military has vowed to continue its efforts to drive Hezbollah from areas near the border to allow displaced Israelis to return to their homes.
A Year of Loss and Uncertainty
One year after the initial attack, Israelis and Palestinians are facing prolonged uncertainty and ongoing conflict. The commemoration of Oct. 7 has highlighted the deep scars left by the past year and the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. International efforts for a ceasefire remain stalled, as fighting intensifies and the prospect of peace seems increasingly remote.
