'...Our World Changed Forever': IDF Recalls October 7 Hamas Attack on First Anniversary

New Delhi: As Israel marks the first anniversary of the Hamas' October 7 attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recalled the deadliest day which witnessed massacre of over 1200 people and abduction of over 250 others. The October 7 attack also triggered the Gaza war which has left the region devastated, leading to a humanitarian crisis.

'This Night Was the Last Night Before Our World Changed Forever'

The conflict has now spilled over to other nations in the West Asia, including in Iran, Lebanon and Syria due to the backing they give to militant group Hamas which is believed to spread terror in Israel.

As Israel ramps up its attack on its opponents, crippling Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas, the IDF reminds Israelis of the atrocities that over 1200 people faced at the hands of Hamas militants.

On the first anniversary of October 7 attack, the Israeli military asked its people to remember, referring the attack victims,  those who "went to sleep after a holiday meal or left their house on their way to a party, not knowing that their lives would end the next day"

Emphasising how the attack has had an impact on the minds of people, the IDF tweeted, "This night was the last night before our world changed forever."

"As you go to sleep tonight, remember: A year ago tonight, 1,200+ people went to sleep after a holiday meal or left their house on their way to a party, not knowing that their lives would end the next day," it further wrote in a post on X.

"251 people spent their night in peace not knowing that they would be taken hostage by terrorists the next day," it further added.

'The Day We Failed in Our Mission to Protect...'

Expressing regret over failing to avert the tragedy, the Chief of the General Staff of the IDF , LTG Herzi Halevi, called for deep introspection.

Halevi said, "A year has passed since October 7th, the day we failed in our mission to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. We are now in the Ten Days of Repentance. October 7th is not only a day of remembrance but also a call for deep introspection."

He added Israel will not stop from eliminating the Hamas and Hezbollah and will continue fighting with proactive approach on all fronts by adapting defensive strategies on all borders to become a greater army.

"A year has passed, and we have defeated the military wing of Hamas, and we continue to fight against the organization’s terrorist capabilities; We have dealt a severe blow to Hezbollah, which has lost all of its senior leadership. We are not stopping – we fight, debrief, learn, and improve. We are taking an offensive, tactical, and proactive approach on all fronts, adapting our defensive strategies on all borders, and understanding that the IDF must be a greater army that takes good care of its people," he added.

He affirmed that the IDF will ensure that October 7th is never repeated.

"We will ensure that these capabilities are not rebuilt, so that October 7th is never repeated," he further said.

The Gaza war triggered by the Hamas October 7 attack has claimed lives of almost 42,000 people, including civilians, according to Palestinian health authorities.