Community and faith leaders in Beverly Hills stood in solidarity with those around the world Monday in marking one year since Hamas militants crossed the border from Gaza into southern Israel and kidnapped or killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
A remembrance ceremony was held at Garden Park along Santa Monica Boulevard, which has been temporarily renamed “Oct. 7 Memorial Square.”
The city of Beverly Hills recently installed more than 1,400 flags to honor the victims.
“At this memorial, we remember those souls that died. Not just Jewish Israelis and Americans but of all nationalities. And each one of those is represented by a flag here,” said Mayor Lester Friedman, whose parents are Holocaust survivors.
Last year’s surprise attack, which killed around 1,200 people, caught Israel off guard during a significant Jewish holiday.
Israel’s military response in Gaza to free the remaining hostages and defeat Hamas has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to local medical officials. It has also left large areas of Gaza in ruins and displaced much of its population.
Hamas is still holding around 100 hostages, a third of whom are believed to be dead.
“I just think this has been a very difficult year for not just Israel, not for the Middle East, but for the entire world,” said actor Ben Savage, who attended Monday’s event. “I think it’s important for these events to show that we’re together, we’re united.”
The Gaza war has led to a broader regional conflict involving Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and missile attacks from Iran targeting Israel.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.