October 7 Memorial Assembly Held in Southern Israel Forest
A memorial assembly for the October 7 victims was held in the southern Iron Swords Memorial Forest, featuring regional leaders, bereaved families, and calls for a state commission of inquiry.
A memorial assembly marking the October 7 massacre was held on Sunday evening in the Iron Swords Memorial Forest in southern Israel. The event brought together residents from western Negev kibbutzim and moshavim, southern city dwellers, bereaved families, freed hostages, and security forces representatives.
Memorial Forest and Resilience
The memorial forest was established by KKL-JNF to honor those murdered and fallen in the massacre and the war. Families planted trees, placing memorial signs beside each allowing visitors to listen to a song chosen by the family in memory of their loved one.
"We choose life," said Uri Epstein, head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, who lost multiple family members on October 7. "Soon wheat will be sown in the western Negev fields, absorbing seeds of hope. We demand a state commission of inquiry because without truth there is no responsibility, and without responsibility there is no trust."
Rebuilding the Western Negev
Michal Uziyahu, head of the Eshkol Regional Council, emphasized the remarkable growth and resilience of the region.
"752 babies have been born in Eshkol since October 7," Uziyahu noted. "Communities are returning, and farmers continue to work the land. Our commitment is to ensure a different reality for our children and guarantee it never happens again."
