🔗 Share this article

People have come together across the country to commemorate 24 months since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, as negotiations proceeded in the neighboring country over a conclusion to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The assault saw over 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the uniquely deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

Israel answered by launching a defensive operation in Gaza which has taken over 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its figures are considered accurate by the United Nations and other world agencies.

"Our violent opponents have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on that day.

He also promised to "achieve all the aims of the war: the homecoming of all the kidnapped, the destruction of the Hamas regime and the guarantee that Gaza will never again create a threat to Israel".

Memorial Events Across Israel

The national leadership rescheduled official remembrance events until 16 October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but events still were held around the country on that day.

A commemorative event for the families of Israeli citizens who lost their lives in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Put together by the families themselves, it was aired across Israeli broadcast stations.

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

Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt

Meanwhile, Israeli and Hamas representatives met in the North African tourist destination of the negotiation venue for a second day of mediated discussions to examine the provisions of the proposal.

A senior Palestinian official familiar with the talks revealed that an night meeting of indirect talks commenced at 7 PM local time.

The official explained the earlier meeting finished without significant progress, because of disagreements over the recommended Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas wants to ensure Israel does not resume combat after the opening period of the arrangement.

He commented that the negotiations are "tough and have not yet produce any significant progress," but noted that mediators are making efforts to narrow the disparities between the conflicting groups.

Essential Points in Talks

• A lasting ceasefire
• The exchange of the prisoners still detained by Hamas for detainees from Gaza
• The removal of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Plans for relief supplies deliveries
• After-conflict management of the area

Public Sentiment

In Tel Aviv's public square that day, 29-year-old a woman - whose brother lived through the attack on the outdoor event, where many attendees were murdered and numerous more were captured by Hamas gunmen - shared: "No place seems like home any longer and until every captive are released none of us will have peace of mind."

"When we see everyone home again, we can feel relief once more. Then we can commence rebuild," she concluded.

Near the leader's home in Jerusalem, people assembled to show their support for the loved ones of the hostages. Israel states nearly fifty remain in confinement in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be alive.

Demonstrator a participant remarked: "We must do every compromise required for the hostages to return. But we really want assurances that we will be protected."

Opinion polls now consistently show that approximately seventy percent of Israeli citizens want the war to finish in as payment for the release of the hostages.

Gaza Situation

At the area of the music event, those paying respects came together to honor the dead.

From that location, the sound of aerial bombardments and artillery could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses reported the heavy Israeli shelling persisted.

In the main city, attacks were reported in the morning of that day in the western district, sector and zone districts and in the eastern district of the community, as well Shati refugee camp to the north-west.

"When the evening falls, the anxiety comes with it," relocated urban resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli air strike earlier, explained.

"Me and my three children are terrified of the bombings. Throughout the evening we are lying together, embracing, particularly my youngest child who rests his face on me throughout the night."

"Constantly we monitor the reports to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this halt will not be finalized and that the fighting will resume to us."

Medical Emergency

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area reported it had accepted the bodies of six people by the midday, including three who died in an Israeli attack in the south part area.

Another medical facility in the southern urban center of the city reported another two fatalities had been brought there. One of them was lost his life by Israeli troops while attempting to get assistance to the south, medics said.

Gaza's health ministry announced a significant number of the {territ