Commemorations begin for anniversary of attack on Israel

Commemorations begin for anniversary of attack on Israel

Commemorations marking the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel drew thousands in London

Thousands of people gathered over the weekend for the first emotional commemorations marking the anniversary of Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

The first candlelight vigils, memorials and marches to mark the anniversary were held in cities ranging from Tel Aviv to London, Paris and Berlin, with more set to be held around the world on Monday.

In Tel Aviv, friends and relatives of the 370 people killed in the massacre at the Nova dance festival held a candlelight vigil Sunday evening at a concert hall.

Against a backdrop of neon lights and music, they lit candles for their loved ones and embraced.

In London, thousands gathered in Hyde Park, waving Israeli flags and "bring them home" placards with faces of the hostages still held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

Photos of those killed on October 7 were shown on a big screen as attendees lit candles in their honour.

"We want to remember the people who have been brutally murdered and we want the world to remember," Henry Grunwald, chair of the organising committee, told AFP.

Mandy Damari, whose daughter Emily was one of the 251 people taken hostage by Hamas, said her daughter was "full of life".

"I need to hug her again and I need to see her smile", she said, on the verge of tears.

- UN criticised -

In Berlin, around 650 people attended a commemoration on Saturday. Police said they had detained 26 people who shouted insults at participants.

In Paris, thousands of people gathered on Sunday to remember the victims of the attack.

"We're here in support of Israel, the Israeli people, in memory of those who were killed and for those who were kidnapped" that day, Robert Zbili, the president of the National Jewish Fund, told AFP.

In Geneva, 300 people gathered on Sunday evening in front of the UN offices there for a tribute.

But in a video message Israel's ambassador to the UN, Daniel Meron, called on the UN "to for once condemn Hamas in writing in one resolution".

The build-up to the anniversary has been marked by soaring tension, with fears the ongoing conflict could spiral into a wider war.

The October 7 attack resulted in the death of 1,205 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures, which includes hostages killed in captivity.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed at least 41,870 people in the Gaza Strip, most of them civilians, according to figures provided by the territory's health ministry and described as reliable by the United Nations.

- Daybreak memorial -

In a statement late Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country.

"We must never look the other way in the face of hate."

He also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and for a free flow of aid into Gaza.

"We must also not look the other way as civilians bear the ongoing dire consequences of this conflict in the Middle East."

The main memorial events are planned for Monday.

Besides the official ceremony in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog will lead a memorial at daybreak in Sderot, the closest Israeli city to Gaza, to mark the moment it came under attack 12 months ago.

More than 50 people were killed in Sderot, either by Hamas gunmen or by the barrage of Hamas rockets.

There will also be a rally at Kibbutz Be’eri, where more 120 people were killed in the assault, calling for the return of the remaining hostages.

In Tel Aviv, relatives of hostages and their supporters will hold a rally calling for a ceasefire.

In the United States, where the events of October 7 have been swept up in the divisive race for next month's elections, Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump is due to mark the anniversary at a "Remembrance Event" in Miami organised by Jewish community leaders.

There will also be a vigil outside the White House for the Israeli hostages.

Many cities have also seen pro-Palestinian protests marking the anniversary with calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and condemnation of Israel's military campaign.

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