World leaders and governments have marked the first anniversary of the 7 October attacks launched by Hamas on Israel, with commemorations ranging from official statements to ceremonies and vigils. The attack killed nearly 1,200 people, according to Israeli government figures, including hundreds at a music festival near the Israel-Gaza border, and saw about 250 hostages taken to Gaza.
US President Joe Biden condemned the “unspeakable brutality” of the attacks, paying tribute to those killed and kidnapped, including American citizens. He reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, while adding that “far too many civilians have suffered far too much during this year of conflict”. The Israeli offensive into Gaza has since killed nearly 42,000 people, most of them civilians, according to health authorities.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, saying “the 7 October attack scarred souls”. He described the subsequent violence as a “wave of shocking violence and bloodshed” and said it was “time to stop the suffering”. Pope Francis said “the fuse of hatred” had been lit a year ago and “exploded in a spiral of violence”, criticising the international community’s inability to end the war.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris said she was “heartbroken over the scale of death and destruction in Gaza over the past year”, while former President Donald Trump was due to attend a remembrance event in Miami. In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said his country stood by Israel’s side, but also drew attention to Palestinian suffering, calling for a ceasefire and a political process. French President Emmanuel Macron said “the pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago”.
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “One year on from these horrific attacks, we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country.” He added: “On this day of pain and sorrow, we honour those we lost, and continue in our determination to secure the release of all remaining hostages and to pursue a just and lasting peace.”
