Families of those killed or kidnapped by Hamas in October 7 attacks hold memorial service in Tel Aviv
Hundreds of families of those who were killed or kidnapped during the October 7 terror attack by Hamas have gathered for a memorial service in Tel Aviv, on Monday.
Hundreds of people have gathered in Tel Aviv for the main memorial ceremony commemorating the victims of the October 7 terror attacks.
The gathering in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park is taking place under strict security measures, with entry restricted only to the families and friends of those who were killed or kidnapped by Hamas and other militant groups during the attack last year.
The original plans to open the gathering to the public were scrapped after Israeli security authorities restricted attendance at events to 2,000 people following the Iranian missile attack last week.
The families began the gathering by holding a minute’s silence which will be followed by speeches from some of the family members and survivors of the attack.
The family of Yair Yaakov is among those attending the ceremony, and his son Yigal is among the speakers.
Yaakov, 59, a resident of kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel was murdered on October 7, when terrorists stormed his home. His family, however, didn’t know about his death, believing he was taken hostage into Gaza, his brother Yaniv told CNN at the event in Tel Aviv.
It wasn’t until February that they found out that he was killed and his body kidnapped into Gaza. Yaniv told CNN that bringing his brother’s body back home for burial is now “the most important thing” for the family, especially for his mother.
“She is alive, but she’s not living. This is all she can think about,” he said.
Biden commemorates October 7 anniversary with candle lighting ceremony at White House
President Joe Biden, center, with first lady Jill Biden and Rabbi Aaron Alexander, lights a memorial candle in the Blue Room of the White House on Monday
US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden commemorated the anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack at the White House Monday, lighting a yahrzeit candle and holding a moment of silence.
The Bidens were joined by Rabbi Aaron Alexander of the Adas Israel Congregation. Rabbi Alexander, who is a friend of the Goldberg-Polin family, recited the “El Malei Rachamim” prayer as part of the commemoration.
The Goldberg-Polin’s son, Hersh, was abducted by Hamas last year before ultimately being murdered by the terrorist group in August.
Biden did not make any remarks and left the room following the moment of silence.
Biden also gave his “deepest condolences” to the people of Israel and the families whose loved ones were killed during the October 7th terrorist attack in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog this morning.
Both leaders, according to a White House readout of the call, also “reaffirmed” their commitment to achieving a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza.
