🔗 Share this article

People have assembled across the country to mark two years since the Hamas-initiated assault on 7 October 2023, as negotiations advanced in Egypt over a resolution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The assault led to in excess of 1,200 people killed and 251 others abducted away to Gaza as captives. It was the uniquely most fatal day for Jews since the World War II.

Israel reacted by launching a armed campaign in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its numbers are considered reliable by the United Nations and other world agencies.

"The aggressive enemies have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," the leader stated on Tuesday.

He also pledged to "accomplish all the objectives of the war: the homecoming of all the abducted, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the guarantee that Gaza will no longer pose a danger to Israel".

Commemorative Events Across Israel

The Israeli government postponed formal commemorations until mid-October - after the conclusion of the festive season - but ceremonies still were held throughout the country on Tuesday.

A remembrance service for the loved ones of people who died in the Hamas attack was held in the coastal city. Arranged by the victims' relatives, it was televised throughout Israeli broadcast stations.

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

Peace Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, the conflicting parties' representatives convened in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a follow-up session of mediated discussions to discuss the conditions of the proposal.

A high-ranking Palestinian official knowledgeable about the talks said that an late session of indirect talks began at 19:00 Cairo time.

The official said the morning session concluded without tangible results, amid differences over the proposed Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas wants to guarantee Israel does not restart combat after the initial stage of the deal.

He added that the talks are "tough and have yet to deliver any significant progress," but pointed out that intermediaries are making efforts to narrow the disparities between the both parties.

Key Points in Negotiations

• A lasting truce
• The swap of the prisoners still held by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The pullout of troops from Gaza
• Plans for humanitarian aid provision
• Future governance of the area

Public Feeling

In Tel Aviv's public square earlier, young a woman - whose sibling endured the assault on the outdoor event, where many attendees were killed and dozens more were abducted by Hamas fighters - explained: "Nowhere feels like home anymore and until all the hostages return no one will feel safe."

"Once we see all home once more, we can feel relief again. Then we can start to heal," she concluded.

Outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, people assembled to express their solidarity for the loved ones of the hostages. Israel says forty-eight remain in detention in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are believed to be living.

Demonstrator a participant remarked: "We need do any agreement needed for the captives to be released. But we truly desire guarantees that we will be secure."

Research now consistently show that around 70% of the population desire the war to finish in as payment for the release of the captives.

Gaza Conditions

At the location of the music event, those paying respects gathered to honor the dead.

From the site, the boom of aerial bombardments and artillery could be detected just a brief space away in Gaza, where local people indicated the severe Israeli bombardment carried on.

In the main city, bombardments were documented in the early hours of Tuesday in the west side district, sector and zone districts and in the eastern district of Sheikh Radwan, as well the camp to the northwest.

"Once the dusk arrives, the dread appears with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose teenage son was died by an Israeli air strike earlier, described.

"My family are fearful of the air strikes. Throughout the evening we are lying together, embracing, especially my little child who rests his face on me throughout the night."

"Continuously we check the updates to see what happened. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be achieved and that the conflict will return to us."

Medical Situation

The medical facility in the urban area reported it had taken in the bodies of several people by the afternoon, including three who lost their lives in an Israeli strike in the southern al-Sabra neighbourhood.

Nasser hospital in the southern city of the city said two more victims had been transported. A person was died by Israeli forces while attempting to get assistance to the south, medical staff said.

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