Local groups gather to mark grim anniversary of Hamas attack
CTV
Communities across Canada, including in Waterloo Region, are marking one year since the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war.
Communities across Canada, including in Waterloo Region, are marking one year since the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war.
Across Canada, ceremonies, events and protests were being held. It’s been one year since the attack that killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 250 more abducted and held as hostages. Around 100 of the hostages, a third of whom are believed to be dead, have not been returned.
The attack triggered a retaliatory Israeli offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip that the territory's health ministry says has left more than 41,000 Palestinians dead.
The war has had far-reaching effects around the world and in Canada — families grieving loved ones who were killed, hundreds of protests resulting in arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments at universities and a spike in reports of alleged hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.
In Waterloo Region, an event took place at the University of Waterloo. A small group gathered to honour those who were killed in the Oct. 7 attack and also the hostages still being held in Gaza.
Attendees said they wanted to keep the group small for a reason, saying due to security reasons they did not want to have a large public event.
Rabbi Moshe Goldman said the attack has changed the way he and his students see the world today.
