🔗 Share this article

Israelis have assembled across the country to remember two years since the Hamas-conducted assault on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions continued in the neighboring country over a resolution to the war in Gaza.

The attack resulted in more than 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the most deadliest day for Jewish people since the Second World War.

Israel reacted by initiating a military offensive in Gaza which has taken over 67,000 people, based on figures from the region's Hamas-run health ministry. Its numbers are regarded as reliable by the UN and other global organizations.

"The aggressive opponents have hit us hard, but they have not defeated us," Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday.

He also promised to "realize all the objectives of the war: the release of all the abducted, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the promise that Gaza will never again create a risk to Israel".

Commemorative Ceremonies Across Israel

The government authorities rescheduled state memorials until October 16th - after the completion of the Jewish High Holiday season - but ceremonies still occurred around the country on Tuesday.

A commemorative event for the loved ones of people who died in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Organized by the affected families, it was aired across Israeli TV networks.

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

Peace Discussions in Egypt

Simultaneously, Israeli and Hamas representatives convened in the Egyptian coastal city of the Egyptian city for a second day of mediated discussions to review the conditions of the plan.

A prominent delegate familiar with the discussions said that an evening round of mediated discussions commenced at evening in Egypt.

The representative explained the morning session concluded without significant progress, amid conflicting views over the proposed Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not recommence combat after the opening period of the deal.

He noted that the discussions are "tough and have still not produce any significant progress," but noted that facilitators are working hard to close the differences between the both parties.

Critical Issues in Negotiations

• A lasting truce
• The exchange of the prisoners still detained by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Measures for assistance provision
• Post-war management of the territory

Public Reaction

In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square previously, 29-year-old a woman - whose sibling lived through the attack on the outdoor event, where many attendees were murdered and dozens more were captured by Hamas gunmen - told: "No location feels like home now and until all the hostages return no one will be secure."

"Once we see everybody home once more, we can relax anew. Then we can begin to rebuild," she concluded.

Near the prime minister's official dwelling in the capital, people congregated to show their solidarity for the loved ones of the captives. Israel states forty-eight remain in captivity in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be living.

Protester Atalia Regev stated: "We must do every compromise required for the hostages to be released. But we sincerely need promises that we will be safe."

Opinion polls now frequently demonstrate that around 70% of Israeli citizens desire the conflict to finish in return for the freedom of the captives.

Gaza Conditions

At the location of Nova festival, those paying respects assembled to remember the victims.

From there, the sound of aerial bombardments and artillery could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where local people said the intense Israeli attacks carried on.

In the main city, attacks were noted in the morning of Tuesday in the west side neighborhood, sector and zone districts and in the east side district of the community, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"When the evening falls, the fear arrives with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli bombing last year, described.

"My family are terrified of the bombings. Throughout the evening we are sleeping together, embracing, particularly my youngest child who rests his face on me throughout the night."

"Continuously we look at the news to see what happened. And I'm concerned that this ceasefire will not be completed and that the conflict will come back to us."

Medical Emergency

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City reported it had accepted the corpses of half dozen people by the midday, including three killed in an Israeli strike in the southern area.

Another medical facility in the southern city of that area indicated two more fatalities had been delivered. An individual was died by Israeli soldiers while attempting to get assistance to the south region, medical staff stated.

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