🔗 Share this article

Israelis have gathered around the country to commemorate the second anniversary since the Hamas-initiated offensive on 7 October 2023, as talks proceeded in Egypt over a conclusion to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The attack resulted in over 1,200 people killed and 251 others captured back to Gaza as captives. It was the uniquely deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Israel reacted by initiating a defensive operation in Gaza which has claimed over 67,000 people, based on figures from the area's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its numbers are considered reliable by the UN and other global organizations.

"The aggressive opponents have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day.

He also promised to "accomplish all the goals of the war: the release of all the abducted, the destruction of the Hamas government and the promise that Gaza will not create a threat to Israel".

Commemorative Ceremonies Across Israel

The Israeli government delayed official remembrance events until 16 October - after the completion of the festive season - but gatherings still were held around the country on Tuesday.

A commemorative event for the loved ones of Israeli citizens killed in the Hamas incident was organized in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was televised throughout Israeli broadcast stations.

A period earlier, a silent tribute was held across the country.

Negotiation Discussions in Egypt

Meanwhile, both sides' negotiating teams met in the Egyptian tourist destination of Sharm el-Sheikh for a follow-up session of indirect talks to discuss the conditions of the proposal.

A high-ranking Palestinian official familiar with the talks revealed that an night meeting of mediated discussions began at evening in Egypt.

The representative explained the day's discussions concluded without concrete outcomes, because of conflicting views over the recommended Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas demands to ensure Israel does not recommence fighting after the initial stage of the deal.

He commented that the talks are "tough and have not yet achieve any real breakthrough," but noted that intermediaries are striving to close the disparities between the both parties.

Critical Issues in Negotiations

• A permanent ceasefire
• The exchange of the captives still detained by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Plans for relief supplies deliveries
• After-conflict management of the territory

Public Feeling

In the city's memorial area that day, 29-year-old a woman - whose family member lived through the attack on the outdoor event, where 378 people were murdered and numerous more were captured by Hamas gunmen - explained: "No place seems like home any longer and until all the hostages are released none of us will be secure."

"After we see all home once more, we can relax anew. Then we can start to rebuild," she concluded.

In front of the leader's residence in the capital, people assembled to express their solidarity for the families of the hostages. Israel states forty-eight remain in captivity in Gaza, twenty of whom are thought to be surviving.

Demonstrator Atalia Regev explained: "It's necessary do any agreement required for the hostages to come back home. But we really want assurances that we will be secure."

Research now frequently demonstrate that about 70% of Israelis desire the war to finish in return for the freedom of the captives.

Palestinian Conditions

At the location of the gathering, grieving people assembled to remember the victims.

From the site, the noise of Israeli air strikes and explosions could be noticed just a short distance away in Gaza, where observers reported the intense Israeli bombardment persisted.

In the main city, attacks were documented in the dawn of Tuesday in the western neighborhood, area and zone neighbourhoods and in the eastern neighbourhood of the community, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwest.

"Once the evening comes, the dread arrives with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli aerial attack earlier, described.

"We are fearful of the bombings. During nighttime we are sleeping together, embracing, especially my little child who puts his face on me all night."

"Continuously we check the news to see developments. And I'm worried that this ceasefire will not be completed and that the war will return to us."

Health Crisis

The medical facility in the urban area said it had accepted the corpses of six people by the midday, including several killed in an Israeli attack in the south part area.

Another medical facility in the southern city of that area indicated two more dead people had been delivered. One of them was died by Israeli soldiers while seeking help to the southern area, medical staff said.

The territory's health ministry reported 25 of the {territ