One year after October 7 attack on Israel, Tri-State Area commemorates victims amid calls for hostage release

NEW YORK — It was one year since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7the deadliest in the country’s history.

According to the Israeli Ministry of Health, more than 1,200 people were killed in the massacre that day and more than 250 were taken hostage. Many of them were at the Nova music festival.

More or less 100 of these hostages are still in captivity in Gaza. The American Jewish Committee says seven of them are Americans and more than half have ties to the Tri-State Area.

Attack it would start a war that is still going on in Gaza. The Hamas-ruled enclave has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians, displaced most of the region’s 2.3 million people and sparked a humanitarian crisis, according to the Health Ministry.

New York and New Jersey flags at half-staff

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered flags flown at half-staff on Monday.

“One year after the terrible atrocities committed against the people of Israel, my heart goes out to the victims and their families,” Hochul said in a statement. “New York stands with Israel – today and every day. As home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, we will do everything in our power to defend ourselves against the forces of hatred and stand firm against those who perpetuate it.”

“One year after the tragedies of October 7, 2023, we continue to mourn the devastating losses and call on all parties to reach an agreement that immediately returns every hostage and ends the continuing suffering of civilians in Israel, Gaza and the entire region,” Murphy said in a statement. own statement. “We wholeheartedly join the families who were devastated by the October 7 terrorist attacks and the humanitarian suffering that followed, and we continue to pray for a speedy end to the war and the restoration of peace throughout the region.”

Several New York landmarks, including the Empire State Building and Niagara Falls, will be illuminated yellow on Monday evening in solidarity with Israel and the hostages.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams added that several city buildings in the five boroughs will also glow yellow.

Vigils and protests are expected today on October 7

It’s expected to be a dreary day, with several events taking place across the tri-state area, including one at Columbia University. Vigils and ceremonies are planned to commemorate the victims and call for the release of the hostages.

“A year ago, people of all faiths and denominations gathered at the Nova music festival in Israel to sing songs of peace and coexistence. “With the brutal murder of over 1,200 innocent men, women and children by cowardly terrorists, some of us all died that day, hundreds of others were taken hostage, and many remain in captivity,” Adams said in a statement. “And when we see the devastation wreaked on innocent people in the Middle East in the wake of this unprovoked attack, the thought of peace becomes even more distant. But that is why we must continue to pursue peace – for the safe return of all hostages, for the defeat of Hamas and for an end to this deadly conflict.”

Family and friends of the hostages gathered on Sunday in Central Parkas it happened every weekend last year.

“I cannot describe the pain of not knowing where your child is and how he is doing,” said Yael Alexander, whose son Edan was taken by Hamas.

“It’s a daily struggle. We live in a world turned upside down, but we must remain focused. We still have two children to raise and we have no choice but to preserve our strength for our child,” she says. said father, Adi Alexander. “A ceasefire would give families on both sides a chance to be reunited with their children, feel safe again and find peace.”

In Paterson, New Jersey, members of the Palestinian community also marked the anniversary of the start of the war.

“No one will achieve anything in this war,” said Queens resident Aqeel al-Saedi. “We do not need to take anyone’s life – Jew, Christian, Muslim –. We need everyone to rally together to stop this madness.”

Colombian authorities say yes increased safety in case of protests. In a letter to the school community entitled Interim President Katrina Armstrong said there will be increased public safety measures on campus, as well as: limited number of entry points and less access to some buildings.

“To those who plan to use this day to peacefully protest, you have that right. While doing so, remember to obey the law and please keep a place in your hearts for those who lost everything a year ago, the mayor said in his statement.