Live Updates: Israel marks Oct. 7 anniversary as war rages on Lebanon, Gaza fronts
Israel on Monday marked a year since Oct. 7, when Hamas militants led an attack on southern Israeli communities that killed around 1,200 people and took 230 hostages from Israel, almost 100 of whom are still held in Gaza. Across the country, memorials and protests are being held to honor the victims and demand a deal with Hamas that would see the release of the remaining hostages, half of which are presumed to be alive.
Meanwhile, Israel continues its war on two fronts, in Gaza and in Lebanon. The year-long war in Gaza that followed the Hamas attack has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians and displaced more than 2 million.
In Lebanon, Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah since late September had killed 1,041 people as of Sept. 30 and nearly eliminated Hezbollah’s top command structure. On Monday, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for more than 20 towns and villages in southern Lebanon ahead of strikes targeting Hezbollah, telling people in those communities to move north of the Awali River.
Last Monday the Israeli military launched a ground invasion in southern Lebanon, the first such operation in 18 years.