Israel on Thursday marked 1,000 days since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack with a series of protests, memorial events and public gatherings across the country, as demonstrators renewed calls for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the events surrounding the deadliest attack in the country's history.
At 6:29 a.m., the exact time the assault began, the October Council launched coordinated demonstrations at dozens of locations nationwide. In Jerusalem, protesters placed a symbolic coffin outside the Knesset, while activists from the "Orange Overalls" protest movement erected a demonstration installation at Paris Square.
Additional protests were held in Caesarea, near Defense Minister Israel Katz's residence in Kfar Ahim, and at major intersections including Kabri, Pardes Hanna-Karkur, Ra'anana, Tzemach and Gomeh. Participants observed a moment of silence while demonstrators at some locations blocked traffic.
National Moment of Silence and Memorial Events
A memorial ceremony organized by families of victims of the Nova music festival massacre took place Thursday morning at the Re'im parking area, near the site of the attack. At 10:00 a.m., Israelis were scheduled to observe two minutes of silence nationwide in memory of those killed on October 7.
Later in the day, the "1,000 Memories" exhibition, organized by the October Council, will open at Beit Ariela in Tel Aviv. Simultaneously, Israel's high-tech protest movement is set to hold a demonstration at the Sarona complex.
A new "Memorial Square" will also open at the plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the site formerly known as Hostages Square.
Families of Hostages to Share Personal Stories
Between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., discussion circles led by the "Bo'u" initiative and families from the October Council will take place hourly at the memorial plaza. Bereaved families and relatives of hostages will share the stories of their loved ones with the public.
Participants are expected to include relatives of victims and hostages, among them Judy Efrimy, Esther Buchshtab, Ofri Bibas Levy, Itay Zilber, Dvora Chaitzuk Shani, Hagit and Ruby Chen, Rachel and Ilan Troen, Omer Peled and Gilad Korngold.
Evening Demonstrations to Culminate in Central Rally
At 5:00 p.m., the "Guard 101" protest group will stage a demonstration outside Israel's Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, joined by mothers of former hostages, including Einav Zangauker and Vicky Cohen.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m., bereaved families and relatives of fallen soldiers will speak from the main stage at the Tel Aviv Museum plaza, while additional demonstrations are expected across the country.
At 7:00 p.m., participants will march from Savidor Central railway station to the memorial plaza in the "1,000 Days March," culminating in the main public rally scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.
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