Israel today (Oct. 7, 2024) marked the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on the Jewish state that killed more than 1,200 people and took some 250 hostages as the Israeli military continued its massive air strikes on Beirut and its incursion in southern Lebanon that aims to destroy the Iran--allied Hezbollah military group, the Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty website reports.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog led a national moment of silence at 6:29 a.m. , the time the attack started, at Kibbutz Reim, the site of the Nova music festival where hundreds of mostly young revelers were killed by gunmen from Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the European Union.
In Washington, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned Hamas on the anniversary, while also stating again the U.S. administration's commitment to reaching cease--fire agreements to end fighting in both Gaza and Lebanon.
"On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7 attacks, but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day," Biden said in a statement.
In Jerusalem, relatives of some 100 hostages still n Hamas captivity gathered outside the residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and stood in silence as a siren wailed in a gesture of protest against what relatives say is the failure of the government to secure their loved ones' release.
Following the Oct. 7 attack, Israel launched a military assault on Gaza that has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians , according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The conflict in Gaza is still raging, while Israel is now fighting a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah.
Israel has bombed Beirut's suburbs for days, and killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah on Sept. 27.
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