Israel observed a poignant national day of remembrance on Thursday, honoring the lives lost in the devastating Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, and those who perished in the subsequent conflict. This solemn occasion took place just under a week after a fragile cease-fire agreement brought a temporary pause to hostilities in Gaza.
The main state ceremony, coinciding with the two-year mark of the 2023 attack according to the Jewish calendar, unfolded at Jerusalem’s revered national cemetery, Mount Herzl. Hundreds gathered, many clad in Israeli military uniforms, to pay their respects.
Addressing the attendees, Israeli President Isaac Herzog reflected on the two years of conflict, stating, “Even if this isn’t the end, we have hope we are nearing it, with throats choked with tears and grief, intertwined with moments of relief.”
The recent cease-fire agreement facilitated significant exchanges. Hamas released the final 20 living hostages held in Gaza, while Israel, in turn, freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. This group included 250 individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses or violent acts against Israelis, alongside approximately 1,700 others who had been detained in Gaza during the war without formal charges.
Further complicating the recovery efforts, Israel announced on Thursday the identification of two additional bodies returned by Hamas on Wednesday. These individuals were confirmed to have been killed in the October 2023 attack and subsequently taken into Gaza. The truce stipulates the immediate handover of all remaining bodies, though both parties recognize that the extensive destruction within the enclave could delay the retrieval of some remains.
To date, the Palestinian militant group has returned at least nine bodies identified by Israel. However, the prime minister’s office spokesperson confirmed that 19 more Israeli bodies are still believed to be held in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the International Red Cross reported that Israel has returned at least 90 bodies of Palestinians to Gaza. The Israeli military has partially disengaged, moving its forces back to a designated line within Gaza, allowing some residents to begin returning to their devastated communities. During the Jerusalem ceremony, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to achieving all its war objectives, reiterating his goal of disarming Hamas – a long-standing point of contention in peace negotiations.
Netanyahu concluded his remarks with a stern warning, stating that Israel had delivered “hammer blows” to its adversaries and that “anyone who raises their hand against us will pay a heavy price for their aggression.”
The tragic events of October 7 resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, including Israeli civilians and security personnel, and saw around 250 individuals taken hostage. The ensuing conflict in Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 67,000 Palestinians, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry (which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants). Additionally, Israel’s National Security Council confirmed over 460 Israeli casualties since the war’s commencement.