War in Gaza turns a year
Israel marked the one-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led deadliest attack in the country’s history on Monday.
Raiding on the Nova music festival in Israel, rockets and missiles were fired at central, southern and north Israel from Gaza which triggered the Gaza war.
Today, October 7 marked as a devastating and tragic anniversary. A year ago, on October 7 Israel faced a murderous attack by Hamas terrorists on international citizens, Jew civilians, school children, and music festival audiences.
On that tragic day- October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 men, women and children of more than 30 countries were slaughtered including 10 Nepali students by Hamas – the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
Hamas also took 254 people hostage that day. Among those some were murdered by Hamas and some were freed through an agreement. To date, 101 hostages remain in captivity by Hamas, including Bipin Joshi, a Nepali student.
As Girls and women were sexually assaulted, the depravity of Hamas’s crimes is almost unspeakable.
According to the report from Israel, the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, thousands nonetheless stood silently at 6:29 A.M. Monday and Israeli flags were lowered to half-staff at the Knesset (parliament) and most official buildings. The time marked the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust by Hamas terrorists through massive volleys of rockets attacking Israel from land, air and sea.
Though Israel remembers October 7 in the country, here in Nepal too, the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu organized a solemn memorial ceremony to remember the 1st anniversary of an earthshaking assault.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador of Israel to Nepal H.E. Hanan Goder emphasized on the need for global unity against terrorism.
Expressing his condolences to the families of the victims, the Israeli envoy says, “Israel and Nepal share the same values of democracy, human tolerance, and multicultural respect. We stand united against terrorism and will continue to spread our message of tolerance and peace.”
“Though we observed the Israeli new year just a few days ago. I hope next year will be a successful year for all Nepali and Israeli people,” concludes Israeli Ambassador.
Former Minister for Foreign Minister Narayan Prasad Saud applauded Israel government’s cooperation in bringing back the deceased bodies of the Nepali students who were killed in a barbaric attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Urging to release immediately all the hostages including a Nepali student Bipin Joshi who are still in captivity of Hamas ex-minister and law maker Saud remembered Nepal’s step taken condemning Hamas’ evil acts of terrorism stressing on peace.
Candles were lit and a minute silence observed wishing peaceful rest in heaven of the departed souls.
Also, at the event, a video of hostages suffering in humanism was screened with an artistic imaginary illustration along with grievous stories of some Israelis and Nepalese hostages.
Over two dozen horrific photos about Hamas’ inhuman activities done from October 7 and some more-days captured by Ziv Koren were also displayed at the event being done Master of Ceremony by the Embassy of Israel in Kathmandu based Deputy Chief of Mission.
Some of the countries including Israel continue working tirelessly to bring these hostages back home free from Hamas immediately and for their safe return home to their families.
As per the sources, it is believed that Israel tried its best to engage in bringing peace in the region. But instead of using the available funds for development, building greenhouses Hamas is using to arm their militias, dug tunnels to attack Israel and teaching children and civilians about “how to hate Israel.”
Thus, the international community believes that it is a must to reprehend Hamas and other terrorist groups standing steadfast in the face of terrorism and violent extremism. On this painful anniversary, Nepal stands with Israel against terrorism committing to lasting peace and stability across the Middle East region for a common future with equal measures of security, dignity, opportunity, and freedom.
Messages
Meanwhile, as per the news report, marking the October 7 anniversary, US President Joe Biden said, “history will also remember October 7 as a dark day. The US will never give up until we bring all of the remaining hostages home safely,” adding that the U.S. “supports Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran.”
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris also on the same sad event said that “What Hamas did that day was pure evil.”
At a press briefing on October 7, the Spokesperson for the United States Department of State since April 24, 2023, Matthew Alan Miller said it is far time to end this conflict and to begin the work for a common future for Israelis and Palestinians.
In a question by a journalist- Is Israel safer today? Miller answered saying, Israel is safer at least in the short term.
Also, in a message to mark a year of Hamas-led terror attack, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the international community to strongly condemn those “abhorrent acts of Hamas, including the taking of hostages”.
“It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to stop the suffering that has engulfed the region,” he said and calls for peace, the restoration of international law and justice for all victims and survivors.
The UN was committed to working towards the release of all hostages, forging a lasting peace in the region to live together with peace, respect and dignity, the UN chief stressed.