The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has now reached its one-year mark. On the morning of October 7, Hamas launched a surprise assault, firing thousands of rockets and sending fighters into Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip during a major Jewish holiday.
Ahead of the anniversary, Israel intensified its airstrikes on Gaza and Lebanon, lighting up the Beirut skyline with fireballs and loud explosions.
In a pre-recorded video statement, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for the “release” of hostages and a ceasefire to mark the tragic events of October 7.
“Today marks one year since the horrific events of October 7th, when Hamas launched a large-scale terror attack in Israel, killing over 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals, including children and women. More than 250 people were abducted and taken to Gaza, including many women and children. I have consistently spoken out on this matter. It is time for the release of the hostages. Time to silence the guns. Time to end the suffering that has engulfed the region. Time for peace, international law, and justice,” Guterres stated.
His remarks came just days after Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused the U.N. chief of bias, alleging that Guterres has failed to strongly condemn the Hamas attacks and the sexual violence committed by its members.
Israel has long criticized the United Nations for perceived bias and antisemitism, but tensions have further escalated since the Hamas attacks on October 7.
Currently, close to 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with fewer than 70 believed to still be alive.
Israel’s military has also reported that 726 soldiers have been killed in the past year during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing campaign against Gaza. This includes 380 fatalities from the October 7 attacks and 346 from subsequent ground operations.
Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that over 41,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict began, though they do not specify how many were civilians or fighters.