TRANSCRIPT
Today marks the one year remembrance of the 7th of October attacks in Israel, when Hamas launched a surprise attack killing more than 1,200 Israelis and taking around 250 people hostage.
The day marked the start of the latest Hamas-Israel conflict that has killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
Secretary-general of the United Nations, António Guterres says the date must never be forgotten.
"The October 7th attack scarred souls – and on this day we remember all those who were brutally killed and suffered unspeakable violence – including sexual violence – as they were simply living their lives. This is a day for the global community to repeat in the loudest voice our utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of Hamas, including the taking of hostages."
There have been pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian marches around the world to remember that fateful day.
In Paris, thousands of people gathered for a tribute to those killed and stand with those still in captivity.
Ayelet Samerano, the mother of Jonathan Samerano, who died after he was shot and kidnapped at the Supernova festival, says she is still living that tragedy everyday.
"It's a very painful week but in fact it's a very painful year because I'm still on the first day, on 7th of October. I haven't moved on. Everyday is very difficult for me."
Around 3,500 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Berlin demanding a "free Gaza" and a "free Palestine.
Protester Kelsey Buchanan from Australia called Israel’s invasion of Gaza a "convenient pretext" for "genocide" and claimed its aim was not the return of hostages.
"I mean, there is obviously a lot of diversity of opinion within Israel itself about how this is going but really, I think it was a convenient pretext for Israel then to go in and invade Gaza and commit genocide against the Palestinian people and their goal has never been the return of the hostages or making things right with their own people. So I think really that’s, I don’t know, not what it’s about anymore for me."
The war has spread to involve Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq, with Israel escalating its actions in Lebanon.
Around 2,000 Lebanese have been killed in the past year, most in the last two weeks.
UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi, in Beirut, warned of a "major displacement crisis" due to Israel’s intensified airstrikes, some of which he says have violated international law.
Lebanese officials estimate 1.2 million people are now displaced.
Mr Grandi also noted multiple breaches of humanitarian law, with airstrikes destroying civilian infrastructure and cutting off access to a key border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.
"You have a humanitarian challenge due to displacement, but also a humanitarian challenge. And I would say human rights challenges due to the impossibility of being displaced, you're prevented from fleeing by the circumstances. And by the way, the bombing of the road has de facto blocked many people from seeking safety in Syria, is another example."
Israel has issued new evacuation orders in southern Lebanon while continuing strikes on Beirut.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents from Jabaliya in northern Gaza fled south on Sunday following Israel’s evacuation order.
People carried what belongings they could, some on foot, others using donkeys and carts, including Samia Khader.
"They threw shells at us and the Jews took us out and said there was an evacuation. We left and now we do not know where to go. Schools, shelter centres, health centres. No one knows where to go. The situation is difficult."
The Israeli military launched a new air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, home to a refugee camp since the 1948 war.
Despite previous operations, militants have regrouped in the area.
Earlier strikes on a mosque and a school in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, killed at least 26 people.
Israel's army said the targets were Hamas fighters.
Israel’s ambassador to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely, tells Sky News that Israeli forces have no interest in killing civilians, and their sole aim is to secure the return of hostages taken on October 7th.
"Israel has zero war aims. We just want our people to be safe and secure in their homes. And something that we couldn't make that 7th of October, as you know. People felt they lost their security. And this is the first obligation of every government to make sure that people will feel safe in their bedrooms."
Lebanon's Ambassador to the UK, Rami Mortada, also appeared on Sky News stating that Israel has "rejected" a peace plan proposed by international forces, while Lebanon remains committed to it.
"We are dealing with a warmongering Israeli government. I think when they tell you their concern is about rockets being fired, when they tell you that their concerns at about 60,000 civilians that were displaced from northern Israel, there is a diplomatic way to address these concerns. Well, they chose a different path. They chose a path of violence, of brutalising a whole population. Its not even about Hezbollah. They scapegoat groups here and there, like they scapegoated Hamas in Gaza. But it's not about Hezbollah. Today it's about Lebanon. It's not about Hezbollah."
This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment with his country's commanders and spoke to troops.
“A year ago we suffered a terrible blow. In the past 12 months, we are changing the reality completely. The whole world is astonished by the blows that you inflict on our enemies, and I salute you and say to you: you are the generation of victory.”
This comes as Pope Francis appealed for peace and a ceasefire "on all fronts" during his Sunday Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square.
He called for the release of hostages still held in Gaza, marking the anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel.
“Brothers and sisters, tomorrow it will be a year since the terrorist attack by Hamas against the people of Israel, to whom I renew my closeness. Let us not forget that there are still many hostages Gaza, I ask their immediate liberation. From that day the Middle East has fallen into worse suffering because of destructive military actions that continue to hit the Palestinian people. This people is suffering so much in Gaza and in the other territories. It is most of all innocent civilians, they must receive the necessary humanitarian aid.”
The pope asked for an immediate ceasefire in all areas, including Lebanon, and appealed to the international community to stop the cycle of revenge and prevent further escalation.
He declared Monday, October 7th, a day of fasting and prayer, in remembrance of the Hamas attack.
