Events across Canada set to mark one year since Oct. 7 attacks, Israel-Hamas war

Ceremonies, events and protests are being held across Canada today to mark the anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Oct. 7, 2023 attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis, while another 250 were abducted and held as hostages, triggering an Israeli counter-offensive in Gaza that the health ministry there says has left more than 41,000 dead.

The war has had far-reaching effects around the world and in Canada, including families grieving loved ones who were killed, hundreds of protests resulting in arrests, pro-Palestinian encampments at universities and a spike in reports of hate crimes against Jews and Muslims.

On the one-year anniversary, police in Canada's largest cities are stepping up protections, particularly around Jewish and Muslim places of worship and at events being held to commemorate Oct. 7.

Jewish groups across the country are holding events in cities including Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to mourn the victims of the attack and call for the return of hostages.

Meanwhile, several protests are also planned to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, including one in Montreal, billed as supporting Palestinians' fight for "total liberation."

"This upcoming Monday, we will take over the streets of Montreal in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine," said the group Montreal4Palestine in an Instagram post advertising the event.

"We will renew our support to the resistance and continue to support the fight for freedom by any means necessary."

Meanwhile, the groups that organized a months-long encampment on McGill University's downtown campus last spring and summer are planning a walkout and march from Concordia University to McGill on Monday afternoon.

The group has been calling for McGill to end its investments in companies tied to the Israeli military and cut ties with Israeli institutions.