The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin lights up in the colors of the Israeli flag on the anniversary of October 7.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, during a visit to a Jewish temple in Leipzig, eastern Germany, said: “Our thoughts are with the victims of October 7, 2023, and the hostages still in the hands of terrorists,” as he described.

He expressed “deep concern” about the suffering of civilians in Gaza but considered that criticizing Israel’s policies cannot justify assaults and attacks, adding: “Whoever threatens or attacks Jewish women and men attacks us all. We will not accept that.”

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described this day as a “black day” in the history books of the Jewish people.

At the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, early morning ceremonies were held to recite the names of the attack victims, followed by the placement of 1,100 empty chairs representing those killed in the attack. The phrase “Bring Them Home Now” was illuminated on the gate, calling for the release of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.

Similar events took place in other German cities, such as Hamburg’s town square, where Mayor Peter Tschentscher expressed his solidarity.

Berlin police deployed about 1,500 security personnel to accompany the memorial events.

Police in Berlin prevented a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstration planned for Alexanderplatz shortly before its scheduled time, justifying the move by expecting the protest to turn violent.

Many protesters gathered nearby in the evening. Police reported clashes, scuffles, and arrests during calls via loudspeakers for dispersal.

It is worth noting that as the Israeli war on Gaza enters its third year, 90% of Gaza’s neighborhoods have been leveled, coinciding with the ongoing suffering of civilians from killing, destruction, devastation, and hunger.

The ongoing Israeli bombing of Gaza since the war began has resulted in the death and disappearance of more than 70,000 people in the territory, including more than 20,000 children and 12,500 women.