🔗 Share this article

Israelis have come together around the country to mark the second anniversary since the Hamas-led assault on that fateful day in October 2023, as negotiations continued in Egypt over an end to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The assault led to more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken away to Gaza as prisoners. It was the most deadliest day for the Jewish community since the World War II.

Israel answered by initiating a armed campaign in Gaza which has killed in excess of 67,000 people, based on figures from the region's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its statistics are considered trustworthy by the UN and other world agencies.

"Our aggressive enemies have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," the prime minister added on that day.

He also vowed to "realize all the objectives of the war: the homecoming of all the abducted, the removal of the Hamas administration and the assurance that Gaza will not create a threat to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The national leadership delayed state commemorations until 16 October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but ceremonies still were held throughout the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the families of Israeli citizens killed in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Arranged by the victims' relatives, it was televised across Israeli television channels.

Some time earlier, a silent tribute was observed across the country.

Ceasefire Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, the conflicting parties' delegations convened in the North African coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of indirect talks to examine the terms of the proposal.

A high-ranking Palestinian official knowledgeable about the talks indicated that an evening round of indirect talks started at 19:00 Cairo time.

The source explained the morning session finished without concrete outcomes, because of conflicting views over the proposed Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to make certain Israel does not restart combat after the opening period of the agreement.

He commented that the discussions are "challenging and have yet to produce any major advancement," but pointed out that mediators are making efforts to narrow the differences between the both parties.

Key Issues in Negotiations

• A permanent truce
• The swap of the captives still kept by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The removal of troops from Gaza
• Arrangements for assistance deliveries
• Post-war management of the region

Public Sentiment

In the city's memorial area earlier, 29-year-old a woman - whose family member survived the attack on the outdoor event, where 378 people were murdered and numerous more were captured by Hamas fighters - explained: "No place feels like home any longer and until all the hostages return no one will be secure."

"When we see everyone home again, we can feel relief once more. Then we can begin to recover," she concluded.

Near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in the capital, people congregated to demonstrate their backing for the relatives of the abducted. Israel says forty-eight stay in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are thought to be surviving.

Protester one woman stated: "It's necessary do whatever arrangement necessary for the abducted to come back home. But we really want assurances that we will be secure."

Surveys now regularly indicate that around 70% of the population prefer the hostilities to conclude in exchange for the release of the hostages.

Palestinian Situation

At the location of Nova festival, grieving people came together to remember the victims.

From there, the boom of aerial bombardments and artillery could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where local people indicated the heavy Israeli shelling persisted.

In the main city, attacks were documented in the early hours of Tuesday in the west side district, sector and locality neighbourhoods and in the eastern district of that sector, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwest.

"As the evening falls, the fear comes with it," evacuated Gaza City resident a mother, whose teenage son was killed by an Israeli air strike previously, explained.

"My family are terrified of the attacks. During nighttime we are sleeping together, clinging, particularly my youngest child who places his head on me the entire evening."

"Continuously we look at the news to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be completed and that the fighting will come back to us."

Medical Situation

The medical facility in Gaza City announced it had accepted the bodies of half dozen people by the midday, including several who lost their lives in an Israeli bombing in the south part area.

Nasser hospital in the southern city of the city indicated additional victims had been brought there. One of them was lost his life by Israeli forces while looking for assistance to the south, medical staff reported.

The region's health ministry announced twenty-five of the {territ