By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
On October 7, 2024, Israel marked one year since the deadly Hamas attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. The day of remembrance comes amid ongoing conflict, with Israel continuing its military operations in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and beyond. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that such an attack would never happen again, emphasizing that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are "changing the security reality" of the region through expanded military actions.
In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered to honor the victims and support the families of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Memorial events, including emotional ceremonies and performances by some of Israel’s most popular singers, were held throughout the country. Israeli President Isaac Herzog led a minute of silence, remembering the exact moment the attack began at the Nova music festival a year ago. Elsewhere, in Jerusalem, Netanyahu lit a candle at the Iron Sword memorial in tribute to those killed and abducted in the attack.
Since the initial Hamas attack, the Israel-Gaza conflict has claimed nearly 42,000 lives, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The conflict has also escalated to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where the IDF is now conducting an expanded military operation against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, which began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas’ attack in 2023, has been a focal point of Israel’s military response. Just recently, Israeli airstrikes killed Suhail Hussein Husseini, Hezbollah's logistics commander, in a "precise, intelligence-based" strike near Beirut. Despite these targeted actions, Hezbollah has remained defiant, continuing to launch rockets at Israeli cities such as Haifa and Tiberius.
As the conflict escalates, the United States has reiterated its support for Israel's right to defend itself, while also warning of the potential for regional escalation. CIA Director William Burns recently stated that there is a "very real danger" of the conflict widening, especially following the unprecedented missile attack by Iran last week. President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas attacks as acts of "unspeakable brutality" but also expressed concern over the growing civilian toll in the region. Globally, vigils have been held in countries like the U.S., Australia, Germany, and South Africa, where mourners paid their respects to the victims of the ongoing conflict. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged all sides to seek peace, emphasizing that military action alone cannot resolve the crisis.
The humanitarian toll of the conflict has been severe. In Lebanon, three weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 1,400 people and displaced over 1.2 million, according to Lebanese authorities. Many displaced families have sought shelter in schools and other temporary accommodations. In Gaza, the situation remains dire, with ongoing Israeli military operations leading to widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. Israel’s government has pledged to make it safe for displaced residents to return to their homes near the Lebanese border, as fighting with Hezbollah continues. However, the enduring conflict with both Hezbollah and Hamas suggests that peace remains elusive, and the prospect of a wider regional war looms large.
