Posted on 10/08/24
Jerusalem, Israel - Oct. 8, 2024 - One year after Hamas' 'Al-Aqsa Flood' opened up the floodgates of hate on 6:29 am at the site of the 'Nova' Music Festival, there were multiply ceremonies small and large, from Tel Aviv'a Yarkon Park to Ofakim for the recorded Israeli State Ceremony.
Yizkor - the 728 fallen IDF soldiers, the 1,200 savagely murdered, and the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. The Israeli flags over the Knesset were flying at half mast as Yerushalayim remembered and mourned.
President Isaac Herzog, as part of a remembrance campaign in the Southern Israel communities affected by the October 7 Iron Swords War, visited Kibbutzim Magen, Nirim, and Ein HaSlosha, where he met the residents and bereaved families on October 7, 2024. The president laid a wreath and lit candles in memory of the murdered, read a parek of Tehilim, and said a prayer for the return of the abductees, for the peace of the IDF soldiers and the security forces, and finished with a bracha for the peace of the country. Kibbutzim Nir Oz, Kissufim, Reim, and Berri, were also visited, as well as the Kissufim Outpost.
Yellow ribbons are wound around many an old olive tree, and seen most everywhere in Yerusahlayim. Women with yellow were protesting across from Beit Hanasi even though the President was away.
Yizkor stickers were found on posters advertising Selihos programs and many a tee shirt. The tent located near the Prime Minister's Residence was filled with posters of the hostages for Day 367.
The participants at the National Library of Israel tours saw the faces of hostage photos on chairs with books still waiting for their return.
For the past year, over 10,000 missiles, rockets, and deadly drones have been launched by Hezbollah into Israel. Red siren warning alerts during the day from incoming rockets and missiles continued into the night in the north.
There is a quiet sadness hovering over the streets in Yerusahalyim as war wages around from the north and south.
I have hundreds of destruction photos from the Hamas massacre a year ago, but decided to not share them in this photo essay. Rather, it was good to see the new growth in the burnt area under the Israel Museum as I walked home in the afternoon. New life after destruction -
Am Yisrael Chai! Gmar Chatima Tova!
