Israel marks Oct. 7 anniversary under shadow of escalating war

Israelis on Monday marked the first anniversary of the devastating Hamas-led attack that triggered a war which has sparked protest worldwide and risks igniting a far wider conflict in the Middle East.

Ceremonies and protests in Jerusalem and Israel's south began around 06:29 a.m. local time, the hour when Hamas-led militants launched rockets into Israel at the start of the Oct. 7 attack last year.

They killed some 1,200 people dead and took another 250 hostage, at least 70 of whom have since died, according to Israeli media. Among the dead were several Canadian citizens.

Outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, around 300 people led by families of hostages holding up photos of their loved ones, observed a minute of silence for the dead as a siren sounded.

"We're still stuck in October 7th, 2023, in one unending day of terror, of fear, of anger, of despair," said Yuval Baron, whose father-in-law Keith Siegel is hostage in Gaza.

"We wanted to start this day together to remind ourselves, our prime minister, the public of Israel that even though it is a day of grief there is still a holy mission to bring back the hostages," said Baron.

In Gaza, 101 hostages remain as Israeli forces press on with their mission to end Hamas's rule of the enclave and demolish its military capabilities. The Israeli government has said it believes about one-third of those hostages are no longer alive.

"We remember our fallen, our hostages that we are obliged to return," Netanyahu said while lighting candles at Jerusalem's Swords of Iron memorial.

World leaders also noted the sombre event, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who in a statement condemned a "terrifying surge in antisemitism" over the past year in Canada, in the form of harassment of individuals and vandalism and arson attacks on Jewish institutions.

"Our thoughts go to all Israelis and Jewish people, whose lives have been shaken by this unthinkable tragedy and who continue to live in pain, fear and uncertainty — including those still praying for the return of a loved one or who are piecing back their lives through incredible grief," said Trudeau.

Trudeau said the Canadian government is committed to "working toward an irreversible path to achieving a two-state solution, where Israelis and Palestinians can live securely within internationally recognized borders."

Pope Francis, in an open letter to Catholics in the Middle East, criticized what he called the "shameful inability" of the international community to end the war.

"Violence never brings peace. History proves this, yet years and years of conflict seem to have taught us nothing," he said.

The surprise assault by Hamas, considered a terrorist group by several Western governments including Canada's, was one of the worst security failures for a country that prides itself on a strong, sophisticated military. The attack shattered many citizens' sense of security and sent their faith in its leaders to new lows.