Opinion

October 7 still haunts humanity

Israel Embassy in Delhi holds memorial for Hamas terror victims, thanks India for support

October 19, 2025

New Delhi remembers October 7 victims

The evening of 17th October turned out to be a solemn and somber occasion at the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, where hundreds had gathered to pay their tributes and homages to the 250 Israeli citizens who were abducted, raped, and slaughtered by the Hamas terrorists.

The murder and mayhem were reported from various kibbutz and parts of Israel where the Islamic terrorists struck at their will and pleasure. Women, including children, were raped and murdered in a gruesome manner, and the Hamas terrorists broadcast the video of the cruel deeds via satellite TV news channels across the globe. The incident took place during prayer meetings in connection with Simhat Torah, a Jewish religious event. More than 1200 Jewish soldiers and civilians lost their lives in the most treacherous attack carried out by Hamas, demanding the release of nearly 5,000 Islamic terrorists held in Israeli prisons.

The silver lining in the last three years was the release of Israeli citizens who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists after three years of torture and assaults. The world owes it to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who unequivocally declared that the war against Hamas terrorists would conclude only after the last of the Israeli hostages was freed from captivity.

Reuven Azar, Ambassador of Israel to India, while delivering his presidential speech, said: “Two years have now passed since the brutal terrorist massacre on October 7th – an attack that shook the very fabric of our nation…For 18 years, since the Gaza takeover by Hamas, the terrorist organization dreamed and planned that moment. They recruited the entire population of Gaza to their diabolical project. Their intention was not only to kill, but to send a message to every Israeli that there’s no future for us in our homeland.”

The Ambassador expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who stood with Israel during these incredibly difficult times. “ We say thank you for your solidarity and support…We are grateful for the support we got from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government, and the Indian people. Both countries have suffered from terrorism, and we share the conviction required to deal with it and prevail,” said Ambassador Azar.

The capital city’s intelligentsia and common men had gathered under the same roof to remember the innocent persons who lost their lives and those who survived the dastardly act carried out by Hamas.

A poignant moment of the evening was the presence of Avihay Brodutch, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel, who survived the October 7 Hamas attacks.

During the attack, Brodutch’s wife, Hagar, and their three children – Ofri, Yuval, and Oriya – were abducted and taken into Gaza. His courageous public advocacy for the hostages, holding a placard reading “My family is in Gaza” in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry, drew global attention and became a powerful voice for families affected by terror attacks. After 51 days, his family was released in a temporary ceasefire, symbolizing both the civilian suffering of October 7 and the resilience of those who continue to seek justice and peace.

At the event, he said: “On that day, I saw a motorized parachute flying over the Kibbutz (village), almost above my head. There were terrorists on them holding AK-47s, and my heart just dropped. All in all, there were over 250 Hamas terrorists who swarmed into our Kibbutz… And I found myself alone after some of my friends were killed, some of them right beside me. My neighbor informed me that my family was taken into Gaza and that they are alive. After 51 days, they came back. They were starved. They were full of lice. They looked really bad, their skin was pale, and they had marks on them. They were kept in a closed, locked room… After all this, my message for the world is: ‘You should concentrate on healing.’ We wish for the healing of everybody in Israel, in all the world, to begin the healing, and we can get some peace, quiet. And maybe we can start with the peace among my people, and among Israel and its neighbors. It’s all I can wish for, far away from each other at the border. Maybe one day I can go and hug and ask for them. This is what I wish for, and I hope it’s going to happen,” said Brodutch, his voice choked with emotion.

Vinod Khandare, former Lieutenant General of the Indian Army, himself a distinguished Indian military strategist and former Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, was the Guest of Honor. The host’s speech was about the resilience and courage of those affected by the October 7 terror attacks.

Khandare, a veteran of counter-insurgency and intelligence operations expert, emphasized the enduring need for vigilance and international cooperation in combating terrorism. His insights also underscored the close ties between India and Israel in matters of defense and strategic partnership.

“There are many things which we have learned from each other, and one of the most outstanding things that I always look at Israel for is the national resilience and the contribution of each and every citizen to the sovereignty and the welfare of Israel. Both India and Israel have been through a lot of rough patches. 26/11. The kind of horror that was inflicted on us (India), again a similar betrayal. Something is wrong with the mindset and attitude of certain people…When you find such horrible crimes towards humanity, it was not essentially towards the military; it was towards the civilian fraternity where such horror was inflicted. There were many fewer voices globally than there should have been. What about the human rights of all those people who were killed? Nobody speaks about it. Existential threat is something which is common to India and Israel, and that is where we both share a common desire, not only to survive but to prosper and become strong,” said the intelligence expert.

A special cultural tribute came from the Israeli ‘Trio4‘, which performed the songs “Keshetavo” (When You Come), “Halev Sheli” (My Heart), and “Shir LaMa’alot” (A Song of Ascents) – each reflecting, in its own way, the emotional and spiritual journey of the Israeli people since October 7: a journey of longing, pain, and enduring faith. Through these songs, the artists wove together national sorrow with a powerful message of hope and resilience.

Currently touring across India in collaboration with leading local musicians, Trio4 brings a message of connection through music – bridging cultures, emotions, and shared human stories.

Amidst this spirit of unity, our hearts continue to hold onto hope for the return of all remaining hostages, and we stand united in prayers for their release and the day when families will be able to pay their respects through a respected burial.

A release by the Embassy of Israel said it was committed to honoring the memory of those impacted by the brutal attacks. “The State of Israel is deeply thankful to the people of India for standing with us and offering unwavering support during these difficult times.”

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