🔗 Share this article

Israelis have assembled throughout the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-led assault on October 7th, 2023, as talks continued in Egypt over an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The assault resulted in more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others captured back to Gaza as hostages. It was the single deadliest day for the Jewish community since the World War II.

Israel reacted by launching a armed campaign in Gaza which has killed over 67,000 people, according to the region's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its statistics are seen as trustworthy by the UN and other world agencies.

"Our bloodthirsty adversaries have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," the prime minister added on Tuesday.

He also pledged to "accomplish all the goals of the war: the return of all the abducted, the removal of the Hamas government and the promise that Gaza will not pose a risk to Israel".

Memorial Gatherings Across Israel

The government authorities postponed official memorials until 16 October - after the completion of the festive season - but ceremonies still were held across the country on Tuesday.

A remembrance service for the relatives of Israelis who died in the Hamas assault was conducted in the coastal city. Arranged by the affected families, it was televised on Israeli TV networks.

A period earlier, a moment of silence was held around the country.

Negotiation Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas representatives met in the Egyptian coastal city of the negotiation venue for a second day of mediated discussions to review the terms of the agreement.

A high-ranking representative involved in the discussions said that an late session of negotiations started at 19:00 Cairo time.

The source stated the day's discussions concluded without tangible results, because of differences over the suggested Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas demands to make certain Israel does not recommence combat after the opening period of the arrangement.

He commented that the negotiations are "difficult and have not yet achieve any real breakthrough," but noted that mediators are striving to narrow the differences between the conflicting groups.

Key Points in Talks

• A lasting truce
• The trade of the prisoners still held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid distribution
• Future governance of the region

Civilian Sentiment

In the city's Hostages Square earlier, 29-year-old a woman - whose brother lived through the attack on the outdoor event, where 378 people were murdered and many more were abducted by Hamas fighters - shared: "No place appears as home any longer and until each abducted person come back no one will feel safe."

"When we see everyone home returned, we can feel relief again. Then we can begin to rebuild," she added.

Outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in Jerusalem, people congregated to express their backing for the families of the hostages. Israel reports forty-eight stay in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be living.

Demonstrator a participant explained: "It's necessary do any agreement necessary for the hostages to return. But we sincerely need promises that we will be secure."

Opinion polls now regularly indicate that approximately 70% of the population prefer the hostilities to conclude in as payment for the liberation of the captives.

Gaza Circumstances

At the site of Nova festival, those paying respects came together to honor the dead.

From the site, the sound of military attacks and artillery could be detected just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses said the severe Israeli shelling continued.

In the main city, air and artillery strikes were noted in the dawn of Tuesday in the west side district, sector and Nasr areas and in the east side area of Sheikh Radwan, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"As the dusk arrives, the dread comes with it," displaced urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose young son was died by an Israeli air strike previously, shared.

"My family are afraid of the air strikes. All the night we are sleeping together, holding each other, notably my youngest child who places his head on me throughout the night."

"Continuously we look at the updates to see what happened. And I'm concerned that this ceasefire will not be achieved and that the war will return to us."

Humanitarian Situation

The medical facility in the urban area reported it had received the remains of six people by the daytime, including three who lost their lives in an Israeli attack in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood.

A different healthcare center in the southern urban center of the city reported two more victims had been delivered. An individual was killed by Israeli soldiers while seeking help to the southern area, medics reported.

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