Tuesday marks two years since the Hamas attack in Israel that claimed nearly 1,200 lives and left hundreds more in captivity, with memorial events held worldwide, including a solemn ceremony at Miami Beach.
The ceremony at Miami Beach Fire Station No. 2 included moments of reflection and reverence, remembering the 1,200 people killed and 250 abducted during the attack.
“The biggest fear was obviously the rockets flying overhead,” said Capt. Adonis Garcia of the Miami Beach Fire Department. Garcia, one of eight Miami Beach firefighters who spent two weeks volunteering with first responders in Israel, described the experience as life changing.
“It was an awakening. We toured and saw a couple of firefighters who were killed,” Garcia said. “Rockets were shot at me … That’s what brought it all back.”
Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner spoke of cautious optimism regarding ongoing peace efforts.
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“I’m hopeful,” Meiner said. “It seems like it’s heading in the right direction, but from everything I hear, it’s in Hamas’s corner. This war could have been over on October 8th.”
He also referenced portions of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for peace, which calls for all hostages to be released within three days.
“I’m praying my eyes out. This is something that everyone should be pushing for. Not just the people of Israel, but every nation, every Arab nation, Europe … We need the hostages home. There are 25 living hostages,” Meiner added.
The Miami Beach ceremony highlighted the community’s solidarity with victims and their families and underscored ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages.
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