DAY 366 of the WAR: First Anniversary Of The Darkest Day In Israel’s History

Tel Aviv Diary, October 7, 2024

Today marks the first anniversary of the darkest day in Israel’s history and the most tragic day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It was a day that, until it happened, seemed unimaginable—which perhaps explains why it occurred. You cannot prepare for a tragedy you are unable to conceive.  Eventually, a national commission of inquiry will uncover the full extent of the calamity and hold accountable those responsible, beyond Hamas, for the catastrophe that occurred a year ago. Regrettably, the anguish of that day persists; lingering through the agonizing days that followed; the painful span of 366 days (and counting) filled with all too frequent reports of additional soldiers lost and more hostages murdered.

Over the past year there were fleeting moments of joy amidst the sorrow. Early in the war, when the initial truce facilitated the release of many women and children, we celebrated. Similarly, when the IDF successfully rescued several hostages, we allowed ourselves a few brief moments of happiness. However, overall, the year was overwhelmingly marked by tears—tears for strangers and for loved ones, for a nation I have cherished my entire life, a nation that suddenly appeared so fragile.

In recent weeks, there have been glimmers of hope. Prior to the developments in Lebanon, many of us feared for the very survival of the state. However, that fear has significantly diminished as the Air Force, in conjunction with the extraordinary work of our Intelligence Services, has effectively neutralized Hezbollah, our most formidable enemy. Hezbollah’s missile arsenal, once a looming threat capable of unimaginable destruction, now appears considerably less menacing. Over the past year, many of us prepared for the worst. We stockpiled bigger batteries, fearing prolonged stays in bomb shelters without power. While that scenario still remains possible, its likelihood has sharply decreased.

Today is a day of reflection—a time to commemorate the heroes who saved lives and to honor the memories of those who could not be saved. It is a day to share in the collective mourning of those who have lost what is most precious to them. It is also a day to think about the hostages—101 people, both living and deceased, who remain in Hamas's captivity. Regardless of whether you fault the government for failing to reach a deal, it’s evident that both the government and the military are accountable for allowing the kidnappings to occur and for failing, even after an entire year, to secure their return—whether through diplomatic or military means.

After all of the military and intelligence establishment’s tactical successes this past year, our biggest challenge remains determining what happens next. While we have largely defeated Hamas militarily, Hamas continues to govern every part of Gaza not physically occupied by Israeli troops. We have decapitated the leadership of Hezbollah, yet our influence over the Lebanese and their readiness to undertake political and possibly physical risks to reclaim control of their country is minimal. Without active measures taken by the Lebanese people, any resolution to the war will only be temporary.

Finally, there is Iran—the “head of the snake”. Since the Ayatollah's regime came to power in 1978, Iran has been committed to our destruction. Thanks to their direct attacks on our country, we now have the legitimacy to hurt the regime. Nevertheless, we should not fool ourselves into believing that we can bring down the regime in Tehran on our own. To achieve this, we need allies and a comprehensive, overarching strategy for the conflict, both of which we currently lack.

As outlined by the government, this war had three primary objectives: dismantling the military and governmental infrastructures of Hamas, enabling residents of the Western Negev near our border with Gaza) to return to their homes, and rescuing our hostages. Recently, Netanyahu added a fourth goal, facilitating the return of Israelis displaced from their homes and businesses in the North. Despite a year of combat, none of these goals have been fully achieved.

IDF Data: After a Year of War

Here's a quantitative overview of the accomplishments and losses over the past year:

Terrorists Eliminated

• Approximately 17,000 terrorists were eliminated in the Gaza Strip.

• More than 800 terrorists were eliminated in Lebanon (as of 25.9).

• Over 690 terrorists were eliminated in the West Bank sector.

Air Strikes

• Approximately 40,300 air strikes in the Gaza Strip.

• Approximately 4,900 air strikes in the Lebanon front.

Launches Towards Israel

• From the Gaza Strip: approximately 13,200

• From Lebanon: approximately 12,400

• From Syria: approximately 60

• From Yemen: approximately 180

• From Iran: approximately 400

IDF Casualties and Injured

• 728 fallen soldiers, including 348 since the start of the ground maneuver in Gaza.

• 4,576 injured soldiers, 696 of them seriously injured.

• 2,299 injured soldiers (out of the total number) since the start of the ground maneuver in Gaza.

ROCKETS AND COMBAT CONTINUE TODAY

Today has been another day of warfare on many fronts. I expected to be awakened by rocket fire at 6:30 AM, but fortunately, I was able to sleep undisturbed until 7:15 AM. Those closer to Gaza, in places like Palmachim and Rishon, were not as fortunate, as they experienced a small barrage at 6:15 AM.  Later in the morning, Hamas did manage to fire a series of five rockets towards the Tel Aviv area and Ben Gurion Airport. One rocket landed in an open field south of Tel Aviv, while another hit a village near the airport, lightly wounding two women.

These rockets originated from Khan Younis. In response, Israel has instructed residents in the affected area to evacuate.

Those living North of Haifa especially those closer to the Lebanese border, have endured almost constant rocket fire from Lebanon— as of 5:30 PM, there had been 150 rockets launched at Israel.

Late in the afternoon, the Houthis launched a single ballistic missile towards Israel, forcing a large percentage of Israelis in central Israel to take cover in shelters. Fortunately, the missile was intercepted by the Arrow defense system.

The attacks, however, have not ceased. Tonight, while I was at the park with my dog Milo, my phone began to light up with alerts in our area—though not directly where we were. I quickly attached Milo’s leash. In the distance, air raid sirens could be heard, though still not in my immediate area. To be safe, I decided it was time to head home. As we briskly walked, several loud explosions echoed. Five missiles had been fired from Lebanon—some of which were intercepted, while others landed in open fields. Thankfully, there were no injuries.

LOSSES CONTINUE, AS WELL

Today brought more bad news. Two additional soldiers fell in combat: Warrant officer (res.) Aviv Magen (43) and Master Sergeant (res.) Etay Azulay (24).

Etay Azulay

In addition, Idan Shtivi, previously thought to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, has been declared deceased. It is believed Shtivi was murdered on October 7th and his body was subsequently taken to Gaza.

Idan Shtivi

CONTINUED ATTACKS ON HEZBOLLAH

Today, the Air Force conducted extensive bombings in Lebanon, including a midday surprise attack near the airport, believed to be another assassination attempt. Tonight, the IDF has closed additional areas in the North, particularly around Rosh Hanikra and Shlomi. The Army has also issued warnings to Lebanese civilians to stay away from the beaches.

IMPACT OF OCT. 7 ON WORLD JEWRY

October 7th not only transformed the face of Israel, it also significantly impacted World Jewry— especially in North America, but not just American Jews were profoundly unsettled by the protests that developed, primarily on U.S. campuses, from the moment the war broke out. Even before Israel began to respond to the October 7th massacre, there were demonstrations on University campuses in support of Hamas, coupled with calls for the destruction of Israel “from the River to the Sea”.

These deeply shocked American Jews. However, the targeted attacks on Jews and Jewish-owned stores—solely because of their Jewish identity—were even more startling. Over the course of the last year, repeated violent antisemitic incidents occurred not only in the U.S., but also in other parts of the world, particularly in England and France.

As Andrew Ross Sorkin notes in the article below, another shocking revelation was the lack of reciprocity from many left-wing groups, despite years of Jewish support for their causes. Suddenly, the Jews have been labeled as oppressors. This year would have been difficult enough if attacks on Jews were confined to the left; but at the same time, there was also a noticeable rise in antisemitic incidents from the right. The one point of consensus between the far-left and the far-right seems to be their shared animosity towards Jews.

Here’s an excerpt from the leading business correspondent for The New York Times, Andrew Ross Sorkin, who shared the following piece in his daily newsletter:

Good morning. Andrew here. Today marks a year since Hamas’s barbaric murder spree in Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and some 250 others abducted. It was a moment that reshaped geopolitics, prompting Israel to go to war in Gaza in an effort to eliminate Hamas and giving rise to an escalating war in the Middle East that has killed tens of thousands and could ultimately transform the region.

It also marked a tipping point within many major American institutions, in business, higher education and beyond. Debates about diversity, equity and inclusion policies and so-called wokeness were raging before Oct. 7, 2023, but they took on new life after the attacks as protests broke out on college campuses and company messaging apps — some even before Israel had officially begun its military retaliation.

Elements of those demonstrations were laced with antisemitism, raising questions for some about what younger generations were being taught. And for some Jewish business leaders — many of whom had vocally supported D.E.I. initiatives — what emerged was a sense that there hadn’t been reciprocal protection from harassment and harm. A renewed backlash against D.E.I. erupted, including from prominent executives such as the hedge fund manager Bill Ackman and the private equity mogul Marc Rowan, and some institutions played down their commitment to the approach.

The end result, sadly, is that we as a society are more divided than ever — when such a tragic event should have brought us together.

WHITE HOUSE MEMORIAL FOR OCTOBER 7TH

This afternoon, during the memorial service for the victims of October 7th, President Biden invited a Rabbi into the White House to light a memorial candle and chant the traditional, haunting  “El Maleh Rechamim” prayer.

Vice President Harrison issued the following statement, marking one year since the October 7th Attack:

I will never forget the horror of October 7, 2023. 1,200 innocent people, including 46 Americans, were massacred by Hamas terrorists. Women raped on the side of the road. 250 people kidnapped. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. What Hamas did that day was pure evil – it was brutal and sickening. And it has rekindled a deep fear among the Jewish people not just in Israel, but in the United States and around the world.

The long, extraordinary arc of Jewish history is full of pogroms and prejudice, slaughter and separation. And now, in our own generation, there is another moment that the world must never forget.

I am devastated by the loss and pain of the Israeli people as a result of the heinous October 7 attack. Doug and I pray for the families of the victims and hope they find solace in remembering the lives their loved ones lived.

We also pray for the safety of Jewish people all around the world. We all must ensure nothing like the horrors of October 7 ever happen again. I will do everything in my power to ensure that the threat Hamas poses is eliminated, that it is never again able to govern Gaza, that it fails in its mission to annihilate Israel, and that the people of Gaza are free from the grip of Hamas. I will never stop fighting for the release of all the hostages, including the seven American citizens, living and deceased, still held: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay. I will never stop fighting for justice for those who murdered Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other Americans. And I will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists like Hamas. My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering.

Hamas’s terrorist attack on October 7 launched a war in Gaza. I am heartbroken over the scale of death and destruction in Gaza over the past year—tens of thousands of lives lost, children fleeing for safety over and over again, mothers and fathers struggling to obtain food, water, and medicine. It is far past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal to end the suffering of innocent people. And I will always fight for the Palestinian people to be able to realize their right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination. We also continue to believe that a diplomatic solution across the Israel-Lebanon border region is the only path to restore lasting calm and allow residents on both sides to return safely to their homes.

Today, as we mourn the lives lost on October 7, I know many Jews will be reciting and reflecting on the Jewish prayer for mourning – the Kaddish. The words of the Kaddish, however, are not about death. The prayer is about still believing in God and still having faith. I know that is difficult amidst so much trauma and pain. But it is with that spirit that I commemorate this solemn day. We will not forget, and we will not lose faith. And in honor of all those souls we lost on October 7, we must never lose sight of the dream of peace, dignity, and security for all.

WEST BANK

The third front in our current war has been the West Bank, where recent days have been far from quiet. Here’s what the IDF Spokesperson reported on operations in the West Bank today:

This morning, IDF soldiers, Shin Bet, and Border Police conducted offensive operations in Jenin, Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and Qalandiya to arrest wanted individuals and thwart terrorist activities.

In the last two days, forces have arrested 45 wanted individuals across the Central Command region. During the operation in Qalandiya, a violent disturbance broke out, during which rioters threw blocks and stones at the operating forces, putting them in danger. The forces responded with riot control measures and live fire, with hits confirmed.

In the Yehudah Brigade, 17 wanted individuals were arrested, and tens of thousands of shekels in terror funds were confiscated. In the Shomron Brigade, five wanted individuals were arrested, along with the seizure of five pistols and other weapons. In Qalqilya and Al-Lubban in Ephraim, six wanted individuals were arrested, and in the Menashe Brigade, three more were detained.

In the Jordan Valley and Etzion Brigades, 14 additional wanted individuals suspected of terrorist activity were arrested over the past two days. The arrested individuals and the confiscated weapons were transferred to security forces for further processing.

WORTHWHILE READS

Today, I’d like to recommend several articles, starting with one by my long-time friend Yossi Klein-Halevi. In the Times of Israel blog piece, The End of the Post Holocaust Era, Yossi persuasively argues that October 7th altered the trajectory of the Jewish world, both in Israel and in the diaspora.

The second article was written by Washington Post veteran Foreign Affairs and Military columnist, David Ignatius, who asserts that October 7th briefly shifted the balance in the Middle East. While Israel's recent successes have restored its deterrence, they do little to resolve the underlying, ongoing conflict.

What Oct. 7 didn’t change. Hamas’s attack set in motion a year of violence that ended with a return to a familiar equilibrium.

The New Yorker features an article about Kibbutz Be’eri—The Kibbutz that suffered the greatest losses on October 7th:

A Year After October 7th, a Kibbutz Survives

The Atlantic posted an article written by Dara Horn about the current state of Antisemitism in America:

October 7 Created a Permission Structure for Anti-Semitism: What American Jews have experienced in the past year is both a pattern and a warning

The Israel Broadcasting Authority has launched a new interactive website in English. It chronicles the events of October 7th, detailing the stories of every kibbutz and town that was attacked. Here’s the link: https://www.710360.kan.org.il/en

Finally, there’s a provocative article in Wall Street Journal—a pessimistic piece suggesting that our only future is to become like Sparta. I am uncertain how to respond. Much of what’s written there does ring true, but I’m not sure that’s the kind of world I want my grandchildren to grow up in.

Israel See Future at War

COMMEMORATING OCTOBER 7

As I write this diary entry, the memorial service organized by the families of those killed and the families of hostages is winding down. Calling this live, commemorative service emotional would be a gross understatement. The official government pre-recorded presentation, broadcasted next, lacked the emotional impact of the service facilitated by the October 7th families.

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A PIECE OF HISTORY

For tonight’s history entry I thought I would repost what I wrote one year ago, on the first day of this war:

Today marks the celebration of Simchat Torah in Israel. Just yesterday, a prevailing question was whether there would be a second round of Torah dancing in Tel Aviv tonight—and if so, would it be co-ed. However, this evening, the streets of Tel Aviv are deserted. Bars and restaurants are shuttered. Throughout the day, many regular citizens donned uniforms and joined the tens of thousands called to reserve duty.

I woke up early, and headed out on a brief walk. Mere blocks from my apartment, I was jolted by two abrupt booms. Their origin was initially ambiguous, but the distant wail of air raid sirens soon clarified the situation: an attack was in progress. This was the onset of the war. I sprinted home.

In the subsequent three hours, over 2,000 rockets targeted various Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’ersheva. These assaults acted as a smokescreen for a multifaceted ground offensive Hamas mounted against settlements and military bases. Israel was taken wholly off-guard. Hamas militants breached parts of the border fence, while others infiltrated Israel’s airspace using gliders.

Despite Israel's advanced defense mechanisms, the militants successfully stormed the IDF’s Gaza Battalion headquarters. The assailants overwhelmed 22 kibbutzim and towns, resorting to house-to-house armed attacks, executing numerous residents, and abducting others. Throughout this ordeal, repeated desperate pleas for military assistance echoed from besieged kibbutz members.

At the same time, militants seized a police station in Sderot, executing civilians in broad daylight. A comparable tragedy unfolded in Ofakim, where a family was taken hostage. In a nearby forest, a vast desert nature celebration was underway. This became another target for the Hamas attackers.

Throughout the day, Israeli reservists were mobilized, with thousands, especially from elite units, all rushing to the area surrounding Gaza. By the evening, control had been re-established over most areas, but fighting persisted, including a hostage situation in Kibbutz Be’eri and the siege of the S’derot police station. Rocket strikes continued into the night, some evading the Iron Dome, wreaking havoc in the Tel Aviv region. Current reports cite 250 fatalities and 1,500 injuries, with a large number of hostages. As of this writing (11 PM on October 7th, 2023), the full extent of what took place today is still unknown. All of these numbers are tragically expected to climb.

This heartbreaking day is poised to be remembered as Israel's bleakest. The colossal intelligence lapse preceding this day surpasses even that of the Yom Kippur War era. Despite a 2 billion shekel investment, the Gaza fence failed to thwart the massive Hamas incursion. Furthermore, the previously held belief that collaboration and concessions with Hamas could secure peace has been shattered.

As the crisis unfolds, the nation stands united. Those who previously criticized the government have now rejoined the ranks of the army and Air Force. Leaders like Gantz and Lapid have proposed a wartime coalition, but Netanyahu's stance remains uncertain

The situation is grim. A comprehensive ground operation targeting Hamas seems imminent. Hamas’ savage declaration of war leaves Israel with no alternative but to respond vigorously. The presence of hostages further complicates matters. The impending conflict will likely be prolonged and costly.