The first light of dawn emerges.over Israel on the anniversary of the Hamas attacks.
The scene at the Nova music festival memorial near Re’im in southern Israel on Monday, October 7, 2024.
Shortly after 5:30 am in Israel, people began gathering at the site of the Nova Music Festival, where Hamas militants killed 347 people and took 40 others hostage on October 7 of last year.
The gathering in the Negev desert marks the first of several memorial events on the one-year anniversary of attacks that claimed over 1,200 lives, led to more than 250 hostages, and set off Israel’s devastating war in Gaza.
While the mood at the memorial site is somber, reminders of the conflict are near. Just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the Gaza border, the quiet morning is interrupted every few minutes by the sound of outgoing artillery rounds as the sun begins to rise.
On October 7, 2024, a poignant memorial was held near Re’im in southern Israel to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in last year’s Hamas attacks during the Nova Music Festival.
Attendees gathered in a solemn atmosphere, sharing stories and memories of the victims while lighting candles and placing flowers at the memorial site.
The event served as a powerful reminder of the tragedy that struck the community, uniting people in grief and solidarity as they honored the lives lost in the violence and expressed their hope for peace and healing in the future.
