Memorial events and protests are taking place at more than 400 sites across Israel. Families are remembering those killed and pressing for an inquiry into failures before the attack.
The assault began at 6:29 a.m. on October 7, 2023, when gunmen led by Hamas stormed Israeli communities along the Gaza border. More than 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage to Gaza, according to CNN Brasil. The dead included children, women, elderly people and entire families.
The commemorations opened with a nationwide moment of silence at the time the attack began. Bereaved families and grassroots civic protest groups planned another minute of reflection at noon, joined by public hospitals, municipalities, universities and private businesses. Events were also scheduled at the site of the Nova music festival in the Re'im Forest, where the report says more than 370 people were killed and 44 abducted. Protest convoys and demonstrations were expected across the country.
A national ceremony is expected in Tel Aviv in the evening. It is organized by the Kumu movement, which represents survivors and victims' families, and will be hosted by former hostage Eli Sharabi and actor Shani Cohen. A recurring demand from the groups is a state commission of inquiry into the decisions and failures preceding the assault. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed such an investigation and has not appointed another special inquiry.
Shir Mathias, whose parents were killed in Kibbutz Holit, called for a change in the country's leadership. Einav Zangauker, the mother of released hostage Matan Zangauker, described accountability as a basic demand of the families. The anniversary comes less than three weeks before the October 27 election, and Netanyahu's opponents have made responsibility for the security failure a central campaign issue. CNN Brasil also cited media reports alleging that Israel received advance warnings from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.