Israel Marks 1,000 Days Since Oct. 7 Attacks With Memorials, Protests

Israel is commemorating 1,000 days since the October 7, 2023 massacre with a day of somber events, including memorials, marches, and protests across the country. The October Council, a group representing bereaved families, survivors, and former hostages, is spearheading the commemorations. The day's events began at 6:29 a.m., the precise moment the Hamas attacks commenced, with a series of protests. A convoy of vehicles will tour the sites most heavily impacted by the attacks, starting near Kibbutz Re’im and passing through several communities before concluding near Sderot.

A nationwide moment of silence is scheduled for 10 a.m., a time that also features a siren on Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day. Later, an exhibit in Tel Aviv will showcase 1,000 personal items belonging to those killed or kidnapped. The day's commemorations will include a protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv at 5 p.m., followed by a main rally at the former Hostages Square in Tel Aviv at 8 p.m.

Freed hostage Rom Braslavski, who spent 737 days in captivity, is expected to speak at the evening gathering. He urged others to attend the "7.1000.2023 event" to "be moved and to pay respects to the fallen." The October Council initiated commemorations on Wednesday evening with a gathering that included speeches from Yael Adar, widow of hostage Tamir Adar, and Ali Ziyadne, whose family members were killed or taken captive. The group is critical of the government's handling of the invasion and its refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry.

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Friends, I want to invite everyone to the 7.1000.2023 event. I invite everyone to come, to be moved and to pay respects to the fallen who are no longer with us.