What's happened
On the anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack, thousands gathered worldwide for vigils and protests. Events took place in cities like Tel Aviv, London, and Sydney, reflecting on the attack's impact, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and ongoing conflict in Gaza, where casualties have exceeded 41,000.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to SBS, thousands gathered for vigils in cities like Tel Aviv and London, with emotional tributes to victims of the October 7 attack. In London, demonstrators chanted 'Bring them home,' emphasizing the plight of hostages still held by Hamas. The Independent reported on massive rallies across Europe, where pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian sentiments clashed, reflecting the polarized views on the conflict. Sylvie Corbet from The Independent noted that protests in cities like Berlin and Paris featured calls for peace and unity among Jewish communities, while also addressing the ongoing violence in Gaza. Vishwam Sankaran highlighted the protests in Australia, where demonstrators called for sanctions against Israel, showcasing the global reach of the conflict's impact. These events illustrate the complex interplay of remembrance, activism, and the urgent calls for peace amid a backdrop of escalating violence.
How we got here
The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in significant casualties and hostages. In response, Israel launched military operations in Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis and widespread protests globally against the violence and calls for ceasefire.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3,769,495 inhabitants make it the most populous city proper of the European Union. The city is one of Germany's 16 federal states.