It has been a full year since the tragic events of Oct. 7 took place in Israel. On that fateful day, over 1,400 Israelis, including people from countries including the Philippines, the United States and Canada, were killed or taken hostage. Since then, a bloody struggle has consumed the region, with Israel firing missile after missile to obliterate Hamas, the terrorist organization that perpetrated the heinous acts and continues to hold innocent Israelis hostage.

But the struggle for freedom hasn’t stopped there. In defense of its land, Israel went after other groups that assisted and funded Hamas, like Iran and the world’s largest terror organization, Hezbollah. In the wake of Oct. 7, Israel has proven itself to be a small but formidable opponent to these armies. Even after Israel took out Hamas’ political leader on Iranian soil, and even after it killed Hezbollah’s longtime leader and many senior officials, the retaliation by both Hezbollah and Iran has proven weak and ineffective, evidence of Israel’s strength and its opponents fear of its intelligence and military apparatus.

Despite all of the military accomplishments that Israel has made over this past year, there is still one goal that eludes them: the return of all of the hostages held by Hamas. There are still 97 people being held by the terror organization. Among them, 64 are believed to be alive, while 34 have been confirmed murdered.

This figure represents less than half of the 251 people who were kidnapped by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. There are still seven Americans who are being held by Hamas with no return in sight.

On this tragic anniversary, the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., held a one-year day of remembrance event. In attendance was Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser to President Joe Biden; Yasmin Magal, a medic whose cousin Omer Neutra is still being held hostage by Hamas; Staff Sergeant Amitai Argaman, who, in combat against Hamas, lost both of his legs; and Yossi Hofman, an Israeli firefighter, who was wearing a yellow vest at the event, the same vest he wore one year ago on Oct. 7 — a vest that still smelled like death. Also in attendance was Maryland U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer.

As you walked into the room there was an eerie sense of a supernatural presence, as if the souls of those killed on Oct. 7 were there, joining us in remembrance and in hope that the hostages would soon be returned home and not suffer the same fate that they did.

During the event, Sullivan gave a heartbreaking and moving speech. At one point, he became so teary-eyed that he began to choke up. It’s evident from Sullivan’s emotional response to his own speech, as well as the audience’s, that everyone felt a personal connection to the tragedy of Oct. 7.

But beyond the public displays of grief and the speeches, there was a quieter, far more personal sorrow that continues to grip the families of those who are still waiting for their loved ones to return home, like Magal, who wore a shirt with her cousin’s picture on it. For an entire year, she and her family have been praying for his safe return, uncertain of whether he is even still alive. As time goes on, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children hold on to fading hopes, listening for every piece of news about a hostage negotiation or military operation that might finally bring their loved ones back into their arms.

Oct. 7, 2024, marks a grim anniversary, an anniversary of the largest Jewish bloodshed since the Holocaust. The question on everyone’s mind now is, how much longer will this struggle continue? When will the hostages come home? How much more blood must be shed before peace, or at least a semblance of it, can be achieved in the Middle East? Israel, no doubt small, is mighty in spirit, not just militarily, but in its people. The Israeli people are one big family — the death of one is like a strike directly to their hearts.

The tragic events of Oct. 7 mark yet another harrowing chapter in Israel’s ongoing struggle for lasting peace — a nation perpetually on guard, surrounded by enemies just beyond its borders. Despite the unrelenting threat of violence, Israel has demonstrated extraordinary resilience. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the courage and unity of its citizens reveal a nation determined to overcome even the darkest of times.

Armstrong Williams (www.armstrongwilliams.com; @arightside) is a political analyst, syndicated columnist and owner of the broadcasting company, Howard Stirk Holdings. He is also part owner of The Baltimore Sun.