🔗 Share this article

Citizens have come together across the country to remember two years since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, as negotiations advanced in Egypt over a conclusion to the war in Gaza.

The assault saw more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as captives. It was the uniquely deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Second World War.

Israel responded by initiating a defensive operation in Gaza which has taken in excess of 67,000 people, based on figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its statistics are considered accurate by the United Nations and other world agencies.

"The aggressive enemies have hit us hard, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day.

He also promised to "realize all the goals of the war: the release of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas administration and the assurance that Gaza will never again create a risk to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The government authorities delayed state commemorations until October 16th - after the end of the festive season - but gatherings still occurred across the country on Tuesday.

A remembrance service for the relatives of Israeli citizens killed in the Hamas attack was conducted in Tel Aviv. Organized by the affected families, it was broadcast across Israeli broadcast stations.

Some time earlier, a minute's silence was held across the country.

Peace Meetings in Egypt

At the same time, both sides' representatives convened in the North African coastal city of the negotiation venue for a continuing round of mediated discussions to review the terms of the plan.

A senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations said that an late session of indirect talks commenced at evening in Egypt.

The official said the morning session finished without concrete outcomes, because of conflicting views over the recommended Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to ensure Israel does not resume fighting after the first phase of the arrangement.

He added that the talks are "challenging and have still not produce any real breakthrough," but pointed out that facilitators are making efforts to close the gaps between the conflicting groups.

Key Issues in Talks

• A lasting truce
• The swap of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Arrangements for assistance deliveries
• Post-war management of the area

Public Sentiment

In the city's Hostages Square that day, young a woman - whose family member lived through the attack on the outdoor event, where many attendees were murdered and numerous more were taken hostage by Hamas fighters - told: "No place appears as home any longer and until each abducted person are released no one will feel safe."

"When we see all home once more, we can feel relief again. Then we can begin to recover," she continued.

In front of the prime minister's official dwelling in Jerusalem, people gathered to show their solidarity for the families of the hostages. Israel states 48 remain in confinement in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are considered to be alive.

Activist a participant explained: "We must do whatever arrangement necessary for the abducted to return. But we really want guarantees that we will be protected."

Research now regularly indicate that around seventy percent of Israeli citizens prefer the war to end in as payment for the freedom of the captives.

Palestinian Conditions

At the site of the gathering, grieving people gathered to honor the dead.

From there, the sound of aerial bombardments and shelling could be heard just a short distance away in Gaza, where local people indicated the severe Israeli shelling continued.

In the urban center, air and artillery strikes were reported in the early hours of that day in the western district, area and zone areas and in the eastern district of that sector, as well the camp to the north-west.

"When the night falls, the dread appears with it," displaced urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli air strike last year, explained.

"My family are terrified of the air strikes. During nighttime we are resting together, clinging, notably my smallest child who rests his head on me throughout the night."

"Every second we look at the reports to see developments. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be achieved and that the fighting will come back to us."

Medical Crisis

The healthcare center in Gaza City announced it had received the remains of several people by the afternoon, including a trio who lost their lives in an Israeli bombing in the south part area.

Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said additional victims had been brought there. An individual was died by Israeli soldiers while seeking aid to the south region, medics said.

The territory's health ministry announced a significant number of the {territ