A Day We Will Never Forget
On October 7th, 2023, a day of peace turned to tragedy. This memorial honors the 1,200 lives lost, the wounded, and those taken hostage. After over two years of anguish, all living hostages have returned home. It is our commitment to remember, to learn, and to ensure their stories are told.
Overview of Events
In the predawn hours of October 7, 2023, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades—the armed wing of Hamas, along with armed mobs launched a surprise, large-scale assault from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.
The wave of terror swept across southern Israel. Terrorists breached border communities, transforming everyday life into a fight for survival. In just hours, nearly 1,200 lives were lost—859 civilians and 274 soldiers—and over 250 were taken hostage.
Parents in kibbutzim such as Be'eri and Nir Oz sheltered children in locked rooms as gunfire echoed outside. Emergency sirens pierced the night, and over 630 wounded were rushed to overwhelmed hospitals.
Firsthand Accounts
"I have endured the horrors. I mourn my nephew and my family, yet each morning I ask: What must I do today to bring my partner home from Gaza?"
"Every corner has become a memorial… you look outside and it all comes flooding back."
Across the nation, echoes of October 7 bind communities in grief and resolve. From Tel Aviv to Tiberias, volunteers delivered supplies, hosted displaced families, and held memorial vigils that spoke of unity.
Affected Communities
Be'eri
One of the hardest-hit communities, Kibbutz Be'eri lost over 100 members. Families were taken hostage and homes destroyed as terrorists moved door to door. The kibbutz, once known for its printing press and agriculture, became a scene of tragedy.
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Nova Festival
The Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival near Kibbutz Re'im, became a target as 378 people were killed and 44 taken hostage. What began as a celebration of music and togetherness ended in unimaginable horror.
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Kfar Aza
This small kibbutz near the Gaza border lost dozens of residents. Parents hid with children in safe rooms for hours as terrorists moved through the community. Rescue teams arrived to find scenes that hardened responders described as "beyond imagination."
Learn MoreHuman Stories: Compassion in Crisis
In the days after, makeshift relief centers provided food, shelter, and medical aid. Schools became clinics, and gyms housed families seeking safety.
Acts of kindness blossomed: artists painted murals to uplift spirits, bakers handed out bread at checkpoints, and local eateries fed all comers without charge.
Late at night, villages were silent except for whispered prayers and lantern-lit pathways guiding those in need.
While horror reigned, heroes emerged: neighbors carried the hurt to safety, and ZAKA volunteers, lanterns in hand, recovered the fallen with dignity.
First Responders
Emergency medical teams worked around the clock, often under fire, to reach and treat the wounded. Many responders discovered friends and family among the victims.
Community Support
Within hours, ordinary Israelis mobilized to collect supplies, open their homes to the displaced, and volunteer at hospitals and relief centers.
Global Solidarity
International aid organizations arrived with medical supplies, trauma specialists, and emergency relief, standing shoulder to shoulder with local efforts.
The Hostage Crisis: A Journey Home
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants abducted 251 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip—men, women, children, and elderly—taken from their homes, from a music festival, and from the streets of southern communities. For more than two years, families waited, hoped, and fought for their loved ones' return.
The road to freedom came in stages: In November 2023, a ceasefire agreement brought the first wave of hope as 105 hostages returned home. Throughout 2024, brave IDF rescue operations freed eight more individuals, while five were released outside formal agreements. The January 2025 ceasefire saw 30 hostages freed, and finally, on October 13, 2025, the last 20 living hostages walked to freedom after 736 days in captivity.
Today, 168 hostages have returned alive to their families. Tragically, 84 hostages were killed—either on October 7th or during their time in captivity. As of December 2025, only one body remains in Gaza: Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, killed defending Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023.
November 2023 Ceasefire
105 civilians released, including 81 Israelis, 23 Thai nationals, and 1 Filipino, in exchange for a pause in fighting and release of Palestinian prisoners.
Rescue Operations 2024
Eight hostages rescued in daring IDF operations, including the June rescue of four hostages from Nuseirat refugee camp.
Final Release: October 2025
The last 20 living hostages returned home on October 13, 2025, as part of the Gaza peace plan, ending the longest hostage crisis in Israeli history.
The Scale of Loss
Behind each number is a name, a family, and a story that deserves to be told.
Stand with Israel
This site honors every life lost and celebrates enduring humanity. Navigate the timeline, read stories, pay tribute, and discover ways to stand in solidarity with those rebuilding their lives.
Upcoming Remembrance Events
7
National Memorial Service
Jerusalem, Israel
A national service commemorating the second anniversary of the October 7th attacks.
Details10
Community Healing Circle
Tel Aviv, Israel
Support group and remembrance gathering for survivors and families.
Details15
Art Exhibition: Remembrance
Haifa, Israel
Featuring works by survivors and community members affected by the attacks.
Details