Israel observed the first anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Monday, with ceremonies held nationwide as the conflict in Gaza and tensions in Lebanon intensified. Leading up to the anniversary, Israel conducted airstrikes in Beirut and Gaza, while Hezbollah rockets struck Haifa, resulting in injuries to five individuals.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters and weapons storage facilities in Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking one of the heaviest bombardments since the Israeli campaign against Hezbollah escalated last month. Explosions lit up the Beirut skyline as the military announced the death of a soldier along the northern border with Lebanon amidst ongoing ground operations targeting Hezbollah positions.
Simultaneously, four projectiles were launched from the Gaza Strip shortly after Israel began its commemorative events. The Israeli military confirmed strikes on al-Aqsa hospital in central Gaza, alleging it served as a Hamas command center, though no evidence was provided.
Commemorative events included a moment of silence at 6:29 AM—the time when the Hamas attacks began last year, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and over 250 hostages. In Jerusalem, families of the remaining hostages, about 100 of whom are believed dead, gathered outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence. They honored their loved ones with a two-minute siren, urging Netanyahu not to forget the hostages.
President Isaac Herzog also observed a moment of silence at kibbutz Reim, the site of the Nova music festival tragedy, where at least 370 people were killed. Amid these memorials, the region braced for Israel’s response to missile attacks from Iran, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasizing Israel’s independence in military decisions while coordinating with the US.