This Oct. 7 morning, virtually every major Western newspaper has devoted its main headline – if not the entire front page – to the first anniversary of the Hamas attack and the ensuing conflict. Many publications have included editorial pieces condemning antisemitism, while others express growing concerns about the potential for wider regional instability.
Italy's La Stampa exemplifies this trend, dedicating its entire front page to the attack and the ongoing violence in the Middle East. The cover features an image of the victims, accompanied by the headline "Senza Pace" which translates to "Without peace." The subheading encapsulates the year's events: the Hamas attack in southern Israel, the thousands of casualties from Israel's response in Gaza, and 12 months of an ever-expanding conflict.
France's Libération also dedicates its full front page to Oct. 7, featuring an image of people fleeing the Nova Festival. Under the headline "The Pendulum," it revisits that fateful day through the eyes of four writers.
Le Figaro, another prominent French newspaper, similarly prioritizes Oct. 7 above all other news. Its main photograph focuses on the hostages, while the accompanying editorial tackles the issue of antisemitism roiling France, even beyond the context of the attack. Titled "The Catalyst of Hatred," the piece warns that antisemitism has taken root in the National Assembly, bolstered by figures such as far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
Spain's ABC features a prominent photograph from the Nova Festival site on its front page, with the headline "Returning to the Scene of the Crime." A survivor from Kibbutz Nir Oz shares a harrowing quote in the subheading: "Every time I open the front door, I hear the terrorists." In the culture section, French-Jewish philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy criticizes the Spanish Prime Minister, stating, "Receiving an antisemite like Abbas is a grave error by Sánchez."
The international edition of The New York Times leads with "A ghostly life amid ruins," accompanied by an article by Knesset Member Benny Gantz, focusing on Iran. The newspaper's website features a comprehensive review of the year's events under the headline "The War That Won't End."
The Wall Street Journal's main headline also centers on Oct. 7: "One Year After Oct. 7 Attack, Israel Preps for a Future at War."
British newspapers have devoted considerable attention to the anniversary and the ongoing conflict. The Financial Times writes, "Israel marks first anniversary of 'heinous' Hamas attack that sparked a war."
London's The Times dedicates its main photograph to Israeli mourning, with the headline: "Israel marks 12 months of loss and war."
The Independent takes a numerical approach on its front page, declaring "365 days of horror since October 7," though its framing tends to downplay Hamas' actions. Notably, the number of Israeli casualties is presented without specifying responsibility for their deaths.
The Guardian, despite its left-leaning stance, acknowledges the target of the Oct. 7 attack. Its headline reads: "One year on, Israel remembers its victims and intensifies air strikes."
The Telegraph features a large photograph of Emily Tehila Damari, a young Israeli-British woman kidnapped to Gaza, on its front page. The accompanying headline poses a challenge: "On October 7, Britain has forgotten one of its own."
In the Netherlands, Dagblad's front page is dedicated to the hostages held by Hamas. Photos of the captives are arranged to form the number 97, with the headline: "These 97 people were taken hostage from Israel by Hamas a year ago. They have not yet returned."
Argentina's largest newspaper, Clarín, provides extensive coverage of the anniversary. Its headline reads: "One year after the Hamas massacre, Israel remembers its hostages and intensifies attacks."
German publications also prioritize Oct. 7 in their main headlines and photographs. Der Spiegel released its cover two days ago, addressing the broader Middle East situation. The main headline reads "Middle East Vicious Circle," with the original German phrasing "Teufelskreis Nahost" (Middle East Devil's Circle) more aptly capturing the sentiment. The subheading poses the question: "From October 7 to a major war?"
The Economist also also addressed this topic in its edition published two days ago, with a cover story that its editorial describes as "The year that shattered the Middle East."
