Germany commemorates the victims of 7 October

Berlin (dpa) - Two years after the Islamist Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, the victims have been remembered in Berlin. Early this morning, the names of the 1,200 or so people who were killed in the attack were read out at the Brandenburg Gate. This evening, the words “Bring them home now” are to be projected onto the city monument. This is an appeal for the remaining hostages - which include German nationals - to be released. 

To mark the anniversary, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on people to reach out to Jewish citizens and to show “that together we will do everything we can to ensure that Jews can live here in Germany without fear, that they can live with confidence”. 

Flags will be flown at half mast across Germany on 7 October. The massacre will be remembered at several locations. At Bebelplatz in Berlin, for example, a vigil against anti-Semitism is planned. Around 1,400 police officers will be deployed in the capital on this day of commemoration. 

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will be meeting with Jews in Leipzig. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner will open an exhibition in Berlin that reconstructs the attack on the Nova music festival.