It's almost inconceivable, yet a full year has elapsed – a year marked by anguish, sorrow, and an existential war for Israel's future. This Monday morning, Kfar Aza hosts a ceremony to mark this solemn anniversary, with flags lowered to half-staff as a symbol of national mourning.
Video: Hatikvah, Israel's national anthem, sung at Kfar Aza massacre one-year memorial ceremony. Credit: Hanan Greenwood
In Kfar Aza, a community that bore the brunt of the Hamas attack and suffered significant losses, the commemoration is particularly poignant. Members of the local emergency response team lowered the flag and lit a memorial torch, their actions speaking louder than words.
Rochale Stelman, a Kfar Aza resident, reflected on that fateful morning: "It was peaceful and quiet, with birds chirping. Nothing hinted at the impending horror. Within minutes, a joyous Simchat Torah [Jewish holiday] morning turned into a day of unimaginable tragedy and sorrow."
One year later, Israelis are still reliving the horrors of October 7, 2023.#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/5v4UicrXet
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2024
Brigadier General (Ret.) Arik Moran spoke on behalf of the volunteers who rushed to help in the aftermath: "Hope dies last, but on that Black Saturday, it seemed to vanish. The smell of death permeated everything. Safe rooms became danger zones, trees were charred, and walls were stained. It was an evil we had never encountered before, leaving our community wounded and in pain."
Herzog: We will always remember who committed these atrocities
Israeli President Isaac Herzog began his remembrance journey at the Nova festival site in Re'im, where the attack began. At 6:29 a.m., he observed a minute of silence for the victims, later laying a wreath and lighting memorial candles alongside grieving families.
"Exactly a year ago, hundreds of our citizens were brutally murdered, kidnapped, and killed in this very area," President Herzog stated. "Innocent people celebrating at a festival, praying in synagogues, or simply going about their daily lives. Alongside them, many soldiers fell defending our homeland."
He continued, "This massacre, the greatest tragedy since Israel's establishment, will be etched in our collective memory forever. We will always remember who committed these atrocities – who kidnapped, who murdered, who raped, who slaughtered. Yet, amidst this darkness, we've witnessed extraordinary resilience. We have a remarkable nation, and today, we stand united in our strength and hope."
Outside the Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem, families of hostages gathered, their pain still raw after a year of uncertainty. Yuli Ben-Ami, daughter of captive Ohad Ben-Ami and former captive Raz Ben-Ami, shared her father Ohad's last messages before his abduction. "At 9:58 a.m., dad stopped responding. At 11:30 a.m., he texted mom: 'They're in the house, they've caught us,' while I'm at home, in the safe room, hearing all the gunshots, hoping they're not doing anything bad to them, and then at 11:30, we see the picture of him being taken away."
Video: The last track played at Nova festival replayed at 6:29 a.m., opening the Oct. 7 one-year memorial ceremony at the site of the Nova Festival.
At the Knesset, Speaker Amir Ohana presided over a solemn flag-lowering ceremony at exactly 6:29 a.m., marking the moment the attack began.
In Sha'ar HaNegev, another community deeply affected by the events of Oct. 7, residents gathered at the Arches Junction – the intersection where dozens were murdered and kidnapped. Tzur Segal, who lost his mother that day, led the ceremony. "A year ago, our world collapsed," he said. "We lost hundreds of loved ones, and 101 hostages are still held captive in Gaza. They must be brought home now."
The pain of separation is palpable in the words of Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan remains in captivity. In a heartrending message, she wrote, "My dear Matan, if only I could go back in time to a year ago today and warn you about what was coming. I'd tell you that in just a few minutes, at exactly 6:29 a.m., Hamas terrorists would invade your kibbutz, Nir Oz. You'd soon face hours of terror, not knowing what was happening around you. I know you'd be haunted by the fear of dying without saying goodbye to me, Natalie, Shani, and Ilana. You'd have to fight for your life. And in the end, you'd say goodbye to us with just a WhatsApp message."
Video: Israeli flag lowered to half-staff at the Knesset at 6:29 a.m., marking the exact time the Oct. 7 attack began. Credit: Nathan Weil/Knesset Press Office
"We will rebuild and revitalize the areas that were hit"
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reflected on the past year in a social media post: "We woke up to a cruel attack that led to the most justified war in our history. A year of relentless conflict has followed. Our flourishing region was struck by those intent only on Israel's destruction.
"That morning, we united as one people in defense of our nation," Gallant continued. "Every day, I meet our soldiers, from recent recruits to battle-hardened veterans. They all share the same resolve: 'We'll continue as long as necessary to achieve our goals.' In their eyes, I see determination and hope – the same hope that has sustained the Jewish people throughout history."
Gallant concluded with a promise: "We will rebuild and revitalize the areas that were hit, both in the south and north. We will ensure our citizens can return home safely. This is our moral imperative, and we are committed to fulfilling it."
As Israel marks this somber anniversary, the nation stands united in remembrance, resilience, and hope for a future of peace and security.
