🔗 Share this article

Israelis have come together across the country to remember 24 months since the Hamas-initiated attack on 7 October 2023, as negotiations advanced in the neighboring country over a resolution to the war in the Gaza Strip.

The assault resulted in more than 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others taken away to Gaza as captives. It was the single most fatal day for Jewish people since the Second World War.

Israel answered by launching a defensive operation in Gaza which has taken more than 67,000 people, as reported by the area's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its statistics are regarded as accurate by the United Nations and other global organizations.

"Our bloodthirsty enemies have struck forcefully, but they have not defeated us," the prime minister remarked on that day.

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

Memorial Gatherings Across Israel

The government authorities rescheduled official commemorations until 16 October - after the end of the Jewish High Holiday season - but events still were held across the country on Tuesday.

A remembrance service for the families of people who lost their lives in the Hamas assault was held in the coastal city. Organized by the victims' relatives, it was aired on Israeli television channels.

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

Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas delegations met in the North African coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of indirect talks to review the terms of the plan.

A prominent representative familiar with the negotiations indicated that an late session of negotiations began at 7 PM local time.

The source explained the day's discussions ended without tangible results, due to differences over the recommended Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over assurances Hamas wants to ensure Israel does not recommence fighting after the opening period of the agreement.

He commented that the negotiations are "challenging and have yet to achieve any real breakthrough," but mentioned that facilitators are making efforts to close the gaps between the both parties.

Essential Matters in Talks

• A permanent truce
• The exchange of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for detainees from Gaza
• The pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Plans for humanitarian aid distribution
• After-conflict management of the region

Civilian Sentiment

In the city's Hostages Square previously, 29-year-old a woman - whose brother survived the incident on the outdoor event, where many attendees were killed and many more were captured by Hamas gunmen - explained: "No place appears as home anymore and until each abducted person are released not a single person will feel safe."

"When we see everybody home once more, we can breathe once more. Then we can commence recover," she concluded.

Near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in the capital, people gathered to demonstrate their solidarity for the loved ones of the captives. Israel reports 48 stay in confinement in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be living.

Activist a participant explained: "We must do any agreement necessary for the abducted to be released. But we really want promises that we will be safe."

Opinion polls now regularly indicate that around the majority of the population prefer the war to end in return for the freedom of the hostages.

Palestinian Situation

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

From there, the noise of aerial bombardments and explosions could be detected just a brief space away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the heavy Israeli bombardment persisted.

In the main city, bombardments were noted in the dawn of that day in the western district, Rimal and Nasr neighbourhoods and in the east side district of the community, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"When the dusk falls, the anxiety arrives with it," evacuated Gaza City resident Emaan al-Wahidi, whose young son was died by an Israeli bombing last year, described.

"My family are afraid of the attacks. During nighttime we are sleeping together, embracing, especially my smallest child who rests his face on me all night."

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

Humanitarian Crisis

Al-Shifa hospital in the urban area announced it had taken in the corpses of several people by the midday, including a trio who died in an Israeli bombing in the southern area.

Another medical facility in the south region of that area said another two fatalities had been brought there. One of them was killed by Israeli soldiers while looking for assistance to the southern area, health workers stated.

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