A rocket was fired from the northern Gaza Strip toward the Israeli border community of Netiv Ha’asara on Monday, as Israel marked the second anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the rocket struck near the community but reported no injuries.
The attack coincided with memorial ceremonies being held across the country to honor the 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage during Hamas’s assault two years ago. Netiv Ha’asara, one of the first communities attacked on that day, again came under fire as Israelis observed the somber anniversary, which this year falls during the Jewish festival of Sukkot.
The day began with a ceremony at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where residents remembered those lost and called for the return of hostages Ziv and Gali Berman, still held in Gaza.
Later in the day, bereaved families of victims from the Nova music festival massacre gathered at the site of the attack, while Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities, planned its memorial at 6 p.m.
A Bereaved Families Memorial Ceremony is also scheduled to take place at 9:30 p.m. in Tel Aviv’s Park Hayarkon, which will be broadcast nationwide.
There are no formal state ceremonies this year, as the Hebrew calendar date of the tragedy does not align with October 7. Still, across Israel, the day is being marked with grief, remembrance, and renewed calls for the return of hostages from Gaza.
