Israel observes first anniversary of October 7 attacks as Middle East crisis continues

In the Nova music festival site, at least  347 people were killed and the attackers took 40 others hostage.

The world was left shocked after several videos of the incident had gone viral on social media following the attacks.

The Hamas attack had left at least 1200 people dead and the the group's members had taken 250 people hostage.

Several of these hostages were released during the limited ceasefire periods.

The Hamas attack triggered a massive Israeli invasion of Gaza.

On Sunday, a vigil was held in  Tel Aviv city to mark the first anniversary of the attacks.

Survivor Sapir Cohen shared with the crowd as quoted by CNN, “In captivity, I saw a girl curled up like a fetus, shaking, and a man sitting with his eyes closed for hours, refusing to open them or be part of the situation.”

Cohen was released from captivity after 55 days.

Noam Peri, whose father Chaim Peri was killed in Hamas captivity, was quoted as saying: "For the first time, my father shared his story from the Yom Kippur War with us. It was a sad yet moving evening, with all of us united. At this very hour last year, we were still sitting and listening to him recount that first evening of October 6, 1973, when he traveled from Nir Oz deep into the Sinai. We listened intently, and at the end of the night, we said our goodbyes with hugs, kisses, and great love."

Meanwhile, In a message to mark one year since the Hamas-led terror attack during which more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals were brutally killed on 7 October, the UN Secretary-General has called on the international community to loudly condemn those “abhorrent acts” which have triggered a shocking wave of violence across the region.

The horrific attack by Gaza-based militants also saw more than 250 abducted, including many women and children.

“It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to stop the suffering that has engulfed the region,” said António Guterres, calling for peace, the restoration of international law and justice for all victims and survivors.