Today, Israel is commemorating those killed in the Hamas terrorist attack that took place on 7 October 2023.
Memorial events are being held across the country.
At the site of the Nova music festival, where more than 300 people were killed, families of the victims gathered at dawn: they honoured the victims with a minute’s silence and laid flowers by portraits of those who died that day, DW reports.
In the kibbutz of Kfar Aza — another attack site — mourners watched in silence as the Israeli flag was raised.
People are also expected to gather at junctions and near bomb shelters.
More than 1,200 people were killed in one of the bloodiest attacks on Israel, and 251 people were taken hostage.
The last of the hostages who remained alive were released under a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said intelligence indicates Hamas intends to carry out attacks and terrorist operations against the country’s forces in Gaza on 7 October. He promised that if such attacks occur, Hamas and Gaza’s population will pay a heavy price.
It is worth noting that the anniversary of the attacks also falls in the period immediately before elections in Israel, which will take place on 27 October. Israeli voters will elect members of the Knesset — the country’s 120-seat parliament. Polling predicts a defeat for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but no party has ever won an outright majority, so governments are usually formed on a coalition basis.