🔗 Share this article

People have come together around the country to remember 24 months since the Hamas-conducted offensive on October 7th, 2023, as negotiations advanced in the neighboring country over a resolution to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The incident resulted in more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others abducted back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by initiating a military offensive in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, based on figures from the region's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its statistics are considered trustworthy by the UN and other international bodies.

"The violent adversaries have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on Tuesday.

He also promised to "achieve all the aims of the war: the release of all the captured, the removal of the Hamas government and the assurance that Gaza will not present a risk to Israel".

Memorial Ceremonies Across Israel

The government authorities rescheduled formal commemorations until mid-October - after the completion of the Jewish High Holiday season - but ceremonies still occurred around the country on that day.

A remembrance service for the loved ones of people killed in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Put together by the victims' relatives, it was televised throughout Israeli TV networks.

A period earlier, a minute's silence was held across the country.

Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt

Simultaneously, the conflicting parties' delegations met in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of third-party negotiations to review the terms of the plan.

A prominent representative knowledgeable about the discussions said that an night meeting of indirect talks started at 19:00 Cairo time.

The representative explained the morning session ended without tangible results, amid conflicting views over the suggested Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over assurances Hamas demands to ensure Israel does not resume combat after the opening period of the arrangement.

He noted that the discussions are "difficult and have not yet produce any real breakthrough," but mentioned that facilitators are working hard to narrow the disparities between the two sides.

Essential Issues in Discussions

• A lasting halt to fighting
• The exchange of the prisoners still detained by Hamas for inmates from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Measures for relief supplies deliveries
• Future governance of the area

Citizen Sentiment

In Tel Aviv's memorial area previously, young Hagar - whose sibling lived through the assault on the Nova music festival, where hundreds were lost their lives and many more were captured by Hamas gunmen - explained: "Nowhere seems like home anymore and until every captive come back none of us will be secure."

"Once we see everyone home again, we can relax again. Then we can start to rebuild," she continued.

Near the leader's residence in the capital, people congregated to demonstrate their backing for the relatives of the hostages. Israel states nearly fifty stay in captivity in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be living.

Protester Atalia Regev remarked: "We must do whatever arrangement needed for the abducted to be released. But we truly desire promises that we will be safe."

Opinion polls now consistently show that approximately the majority of the population prefer the hostilities to finish in return for the release of the captives.

Gaza Conditions

At the area of the gathering, mourners gathered to pay their respects.

From there, the boom of Israeli air strikes and shelling could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses reported the heavy Israeli attacks carried on.

In Gaza City, bombardments were documented in the morning of Tuesday in the west side neighborhood, area and zone districts and in the east side area of Sheikh Radwan, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwestern area.

"Once the dusk falls, the dread appears with it," evacuated urban resident a mother, whose young son was killed by an Israeli air strike earlier, shared.

"My family are fearful of the attacks. Throughout the evening we are resting together, clinging, especially my smallest child who places his head on me throughout the night."

"Every second we check the news to see the situation. And I'm afraid that this halt will not be achieved and that the conflict will come back to us."

Humanitarian Situation

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area announced it had received the bodies of half dozen people by the midday, including several who died in an Israeli attack in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood.

A different healthcare center in the south region of Khan Younis said another two fatalities had been transported. A person was died by Israeli forces while attempting to get aid to the south region, medics reported.

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