🔗 Share this article

Citizens have gathered throughout the country to commemorate 24 months since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, as talks advanced in Egypt over an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The assault led to more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the most most fatal day for Jewish people since the Second World War.

Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, as reported by the area's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its figures are regarded as trustworthy by the UN and other international bodies.

"The bloodthirsty adversaries have caused great damage, but they have not broken us," the leader stated on Tuesday.

He also pledged to "achieve all the goals of the war: the release of all the captured, the elimination of the Hamas administration and the guarantee that Gaza will no longer pose a risk to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The government authorities delayed official commemorations until mid-October - after the end of the Jewish High Holiday season - but ceremonies still were held around the country on that day.

A memorial ceremony for the relatives of people who died in the Hamas assault was organized in Tel Aviv. Arranged by the families themselves, it was aired on Israeli TV networks.

Some time earlier, a moment of silence was observed across the country.

Peace Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas delegations gathered in the North African tourist destination of the Egyptian city for a continuing round of third-party negotiations to review the provisions of the plan.

A high-ranking representative involved in the discussions indicated that an evening round of mediated discussions started at 7 PM local time.

The official said the day's discussions finished without significant progress, because of disagreements over the proposed Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas wants to guarantee Israel does not recommence hostilities after the initial stage of the deal.

He noted that the talks are "tough and have not yet produce any major advancement," but noted that facilitators are working hard to close the gaps between the two sides.

Essential Matters in Discussions

• A lasting halt to fighting
• The swap of the prisoners still held by Hamas for detainees from Gaza
• The pullout of military personnel from Gaza
• Arrangements for humanitarian aid provision
• Future governance of the region

Public Feeling

In Tel Aviv's memorial area previously, 29-year-old Hagar - whose brother endured the assault on the outdoor event, where hundreds were lost their lives and many more were captured by Hamas militants - told: "No place seems like home anymore and until every captive return no one will be secure."

"After we see everyone home returned, we can relax again. Then we can begin to rebuild," she continued.

Outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in Jerusalem, people gathered to show their support for the loved ones of the captives. Israel reports forty-eight continue in confinement in Gaza, 20 of whom are considered to be living.

Demonstrator Atalia Regev stated: "We need do every compromise necessary for the abducted to return. But we sincerely need promises that we will be safe."

Opinion polls now frequently demonstrate that about the majority of Israelis desire the hostilities to conclude in return for the freedom of the abducted.

Gaza Situation

At the location of the gathering, mourners assembled to remember the victims.

From that location, the boom of aerial bombardments and explosions could be detected just a brief space away in Gaza, where observers reported the intense Israeli bombardment continued.

In the urban center, air and artillery strikes were noted in the early hours of Tuesday in the west side Tal al-Hawa, area and zone areas and in the east side district of the community, as well Shati refugee camp to the north-west.

"As the evening comes, the fear appears with it," evacuated urban resident a mother, whose 17-year-old son was died by an Israeli aerial attack last year, explained.

"We are terrified of the attacks. All the night we are lying together, holding each other, notably my smallest child who puts his head on me the entire evening."

"Every second we look at the updates to see the situation. And I'm afraid that this ceasefire will not be completed and that the conflict will come back to us."

Medical Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area said it had accepted the remains of half dozen people by the daytime, including a trio who lost their lives in an Israeli bombing in the southern district.

A different healthcare center in the southern urban center of Khan Younis said additional dead people had been delivered. A person was lost his life by Israeli troops while looking for assistance to the south region, medical staff stated.

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