Israel commemorated the first anniversary of the unprecedented Hamas attack on Monday, paying tribute to the 1,200 victims as the country continues its ongoing conflict with the Gaza-based militant group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also released previously unseen footage from the October 7 attack, which shocked the nation and the world last year.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog led the commemorations by observing a moment of silence at Kibbutz Reim at 6:29 a.m., marking the time the attack began during the Nova music festival, where over 370 people were killed. In a statement on Sunday, Herzog said the country was still reeling from the “monstrous cruelty” of Hamas, pledging to rebuild the affected communities and secure the return of hostages.

“We are all still in pain, and we seek to make space for national mourning,” Herzog said, while visiting devastated Gaza border communities. “I pledge — we will rebuild and restore everything anew, and that rebuilding will not be complete until the hostages return home.”

Hamas militants launched their assault from the Gaza Strip, killing over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Israeli officials confirmed that 97 hostages remain in captivity, with 37 believed to be dead. The attack sparked global condemnation and drew renewed attention to the volatile conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants.

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi acknowledged the military’s failure to prevent the October 7 attack but vowed that Israel would prevail in what he described as a “long war.” He emphasized the IDF’s ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure and suppress rocket fire from Gaza. Halevi’s remarks came as renewed hostilities flared on Monday, with four projectiles fired from Gaza as the commemorations began. The IDF responded by striking Hamas launch sites and underground facilities.

The commemoration was also marked by international support. French President Emmanuel Macron, who had previously clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over arms embargoes, expressed solidarity with Israel. “October 7. The pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people. Ours. The pain of wounded humanity,” Macron wrote on X (formerly Twitter), calling for continued remembrance of the victims and hostages.

The first anniversary comes amid continued conflict in Gaza and heightened tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon, where daily rocket fire has further strained the region. With Israel also preparing potential retaliation against Iran for a recent missile strike, concerns are mounting over the possibility of an expanded conflict across the region.

Despite the violence, Israel’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to bringing back the hostages and securing the nation. As President Herzog concluded his remarks, he emphasized the need for resilience: “We will rebuild, we will heal, and we will never forget.”