🔗 Share this article

Citizens have gathered across the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-conducted offensive on 7 October 2023, as discussions proceeded in the neighboring country over an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The incident resulted in more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as captives. It was the most deadliest day for Jews since the Second World War.

Israel responded by beginning a armed campaign in Gaza which has claimed more than 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Its numbers are considered reliable by the UN and other international bodies.

"Our violent enemies have caused great damage, but they have not broken us," the prime minister stated on Tuesday.

He also promised to "accomplish all the objectives of the war: the homecoming of all the captured, the elimination of the Hamas government and the promise that Gaza will never again pose a danger to Israel".

Commemorative Events Across Israel

The Israeli government postponed formal memorials until October 16th - after the conclusion of the Jewish High Holiday season - but events still took place across the country on Tuesday.

A commemorative event for the loved ones of people killed in the Hamas attack was organized in Tel Aviv. Put together by the families themselves, it was broadcast throughout Israeli broadcast stations.

A period earlier, a minute's silence was respected throughout the country.

Peace Meetings in Egypt

Meanwhile, the conflicting parties' negotiating teams met in the North African coastal city of the negotiation venue for a continuing round of indirect talks to examine the provisions of the proposal.

A senior representative knowledgeable about the talks said that an night meeting of negotiations commenced at 19:00 Cairo time.

The official said the day's discussions ended without tangible results, because of disagreements over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over assurances Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not recommence fighting after the initial stage of the arrangement.

He added that the talks are "challenging and have still not deliver any significant progress," but mentioned that facilitators are working hard to reduce the disparities between the both parties.

Critical Points in Discussions

• A permanent truce
• The swap of the hostages still held by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Plans for assistance distribution
• Future management of the territory

Civilian Sentiment

In the city's Hostages Square earlier, young a woman - whose family member survived the attack on the Nova music festival, where many attendees were lost their lives and dozens more were abducted by Hamas gunmen - told: "No place appears as home anymore and until every captive return none of us will feel safe."

"Once we see all home again, we can feel relief once more. Then we can commence recover," she added.

Near the prime minister's home in Jerusalem, people congregated to express their support for the families of the hostages. Israel says 48 remain in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be alive.

Protester Atalia Regev explained: "It's necessary do every compromise needed for the hostages to be released. But we sincerely need guarantees that we will be protected."

Research now consistently show that approximately seventy percent of the population desire the hostilities to finish in exchange for the release of the abducted.

Gaza Circumstances

At the site of Nova festival, grieving people assembled to pay their respects.

From there, the boom of military attacks and artillery could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where observers said the intense Israeli bombardment continued.

In the urban center, attacks were reported in the morning of that day in the western Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and zone neighbourhoods and in the east side district of that sector, as well the camp to the northwestern area.

"As the evening arrives, the dread comes with it," relocated urban resident a mother, whose 17-year-old son was killed by an Israeli air strike previously, shared.

"Me and my three children are terrified of the bombings. All the night we are sleeping together, clinging, especially my smallest child who rests his face on me the entire evening."

"Continuously we monitor the updates to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this ceasefire will not be finalized and that the conflict will resume to us."

Humanitarian Crisis

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City announced it had received the bodies of half dozen people by the afternoon, including three killed in an Israeli strike in the southern district.

Nasser hospital in the south region of the city indicated another two victims had been transported. A person was lost his life by Israeli forces while attempting to get aid to the south region, medical staff said.

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