Israelis mark a year since Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack with hostages still in Gaza and war growing around them
Tel Aviv — Israelis were marking a full year Monday since Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 terrorist attacks , gathering at the sites of some of the atrocities to honor those killed and demand the release of those still held captive in Gaza. For many, it's hard to believe that 365 days have passed.
"We didn't close the story. We are still there in that Shabat — in that Saturday," Batsheva Yahalomi told CBS News just days ago, as she revisited her former home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Her husband is thought to be among the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. Her son was held hostage for 52 days before being released in a prisoner swap with Hamas in November 2023 — one of 105 Israelis freed in exchange for about 180 Palestinians in the only such exchange negotiated during the year of war.
At the Nova Music Festival site in Israel's southern desert, the last song played before rockets started raining down one year ago was played again Monday as mourners clung to each other. Hamas terrorists murdered more than 360 people at the festival, and that toll climbed yet again on Monday, a year after the slaughter.
