Torontonians mark anniversary of Oct. 7 attack, aftermath

One year ago, Toronto resident Aharon Brodutch's sister-in-law, Hagar, and her three children were taken from their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel when the Hamas militant group that rules the Gaza Strip launched the deadliest attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust.

The family was released seven weeks later as part of a series of hostage-prisoner exchanges, but the trauma from the harrowing experience still haunts them.

"It's tough and, unfortunately, they continue living this because, you know, it hasn't ended," Brodutch told CBC Radio's Metro Morning on Monday.

"There's still a war going on, and there arestill hostages there, and it's weighing on them."

Brodutch is among many in Toronto, and across the world, marking the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that killed more than 1,200 people and saw 250 people taken hostage, 70 of whom have since died, according to Israeli media, and 100 of whom remain hostages.

The attack initiated the latest conflagration in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict a violent year,in which the Israeli government responded to the attacks with a ground invasion and relentless bombing campaign that has killed tens of thousands Palestinian people in Gaza.

Mirvat Alshrafi, a Palestinian mother of four who lives in Aurora, approximately 50 kilometres north of Toronto, said her mother, her four sisters and their five children have been staying in shelters in different parts of Gaza, after their home was bombed last October.

Alshrafi said she regularly wakes up in the middle of the night out of fear they may have been injured or killed by an Israeli bomb.

"I have my normal life here, but we can't live our life normally," she said. "It's too difficult to witness all the kids' deaths and the people's deaths and to live with the thought of whether my family will be the next one."

The Oct. 7 attack has prompted grief andfuryamong many, and its effects have rippled out far beyond the Middle East. Over the past year in Toronto, countless families have grieved loved ones who were killed, hundreds of protests have resulted in arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments took over university campuses and police have reported a spike in reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.

LISTEN | Brodutch family reunited in November 2023 after bring held hostage by Hamas:

The Current1:14:30Brodutch family reunited after weeks held hostage by Hamas; tackling the housing crisis with prefabricated modular homes; and IEAs Fatih Birol on the energy sectors role in fighting climate change

Hagar Brodutch and her three children have been released by Hamas, seven weeks after they were taken hostage in the Oct. 7 attack. Hagars brother-in-law Aharon Brodutch tells Matt Galloway about the familys long-awaited reunion; and the CBCs Margaret Evans discusses the ceasefire deal that has allowed much-needed aid into Gaza. Plus, could modular homes be a key part of solving Canadas housing crisis? Some experts say this type of structure, built quickly in a warehouse like Lego, could be what's needed to get more Canadians into homes of their own. And Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, discusses the role of the energy sector in addressing climate change, what we'd have to change in our lives to meet climate targets and whether those targets are still realistic.

Memorial for victims, protests against war

Jewish groups in Toronto heldevents Monday to mourn people wounded, killed and kidnapped in the Hamas attack and to call for the release of the remaining hostages still in captivity.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian groups organizeddemonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian people and against the ongoing Israeli military operation, one that has since spread to Lebanon.

WATCH | Memorial marks Oct. 7 anniversary of Hamas-led attack on Israel:

Memorial marks Oct. 7 anniversary of Hamas-led attack on Israel

10 days ago

Duration 3:39

Toronto Jewish groups and communities held a memorial on Monday evening to mark one year since Hamas's attacks in Israel. CBC's Greg Ross has more.

Last week, Toronto and other area police services announced plans to step up protections in Jewish neighbourhoods and at mosques in light of the anniversary.

The UJA Federation of Greater Toronto planneda memorial in the evening that was toinclude remarks, performances, a candle-lighting ceremony, photo exhibit and art display.

Organizers expectedabout20,000 people to attend, including elected officials.

"We are asking for our allies to stand with us, not just on this day, but every day. We are asking for people to use their voices and to speak out against hate. Hate is not acceptable in this country. It's not acceptable for any group and it's not acceptable against the Jewish community," said Sara Lefton, the federation's chief development officer.

"We are Canadians, we are proud Canadians. And on this day, on October 7th, it is incredibly important that we call together the Jewish community and our allies to mark this date, to remember all the lives that were tragically lost on October 7th in Israel."

Toronto Friends of Standing Together, a progressive group of Israeli and Palestinian citizens of Israel who oppose the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, helda silent vigil to commemorate those killed on Oct. 7.

The group is calling for a ceasefire agreement, a hostage deal, an end to the military occupation and Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Canadians for Palestine, an advocacy group against anti-Palestinian racism, is encouraging its supporters to take the day off work to take part in "street action" and pro-Palestinian activism.Aprotest at Queen's Park in Toronto resulted in the arrest of one man for breach of the peace at about 6 p.m., according to police.

"While our brothers and sisters in Palestine continue to demonstrate resilience and strength after 365 days of genocide, we draw inspiration from them to recommit ourselves to the liberation of Palestine ...from the river to the sea," the group wrote in a social media post.

Premier Ford vows to combat hate, antisemitism

Premier Doug Ford issued a statement to mark the anniversary, condemning the "antisemitic terrorist attack against Israelis" on Oct. 7 and calling for the release of hostages still being held captive by Hamas militants.

"One year later, our thoughts and prayers also go out to the families and loved ones of those who were killed in the attacks and of those who continue to be held hostage," Ford said.

"This includes many people in Ontario's Jewish community, who maintain deep and close ties with family and loved ones in Israel."

Ford condemned the "alarming" rise in antisemitism, both in Ontario and the world.

"We will continue to stand up against hate wherever it is found and work to foster understanding, unity and respect in our province and communities," he said.