Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is determined to secure victory as the conflict with Hamas approaches the one-year mark since the group’s incursion into Israel on October 7 last year. This assault not only ignited the ongoing war but also significantly reshaped the Israeli security landscape. Khaled Meshaal, a former leader of Hamas, asserts that the initial attack has put Israel’s very existence at risk.

Recent figures released by Israeli officials reveal that the October 7 attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,205 Israelis, with around 251 individuals taken hostage to Gaza. Among these hostages, 97 are still unaccounted for, including 37 who are reported to have been killed, according to statements from the Israeli military.

This morning, families of the hostages, along with their supporters, gathered in Tel Aviv. They displayed banners and photos of their loved ones, calling on the government to secure their safe return.

Later today, Israeli President Isaac Herzog will lead a memorial service in Sderot, a town just under two kilometers from the Gaza Strip border, to honor those who lost their lives in this ongoing conflict.

In a statement yesterday, Netanyahu highlighted the significant changes that have occurred since Hamas’s attacks a year ago, reaffirming his commitment to achieving victory for Israel.

In an interview with Al Arabiya TV, Meshaal claimed that the “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”—the name given to the Hamas attack—has marked a turning point, leaving the occupiers with nothing and threatening Israel’s survival.

According to Reuters, the psychological impact of the ongoing hostilities on the Israeli population remains profound after a year of conflict.

Avida Bachar, a farmer from the Kibbutz of Be’eri, recounted his traumatic experience from a year ago when he lost a leg and witnessed the deaths of his wife and children during Hamas’s assault on his home. He believes the resolution to the conflict lies in the complete evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza to countries that are willing to accept them, arguing that this would eliminate any future threats to Israel.

Last week, an attack in Tel Aviv by two Palestinian gunmen left seven people dead. Local resident Alex Kaidrikov, who narrowly escaped the violence, expressed his feelings of insecurity, noting a pervasive sense of unpredictability and shock in the region, particularly in light of reports that Iran had launched approximately 200 missiles toward Israel on the same day.

As tensions escalate, the pursuit of peace continues to face significant obstacles.