🔗 Share this article Israeli citizens mark two-year remembrance of 7 October attacks as Gaza ceasefire negotiations advance Several paid their respects at the site of the music festival, where more than 370 people perished and numerous more taken to Gaza as hostages People have come together across the country to commemorate 24 months since the Hamas-conducted attack on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions continued in Egypt over an end to the conflict in Gaza. The incident saw over 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others taken back to Gaza as prisoners. It was the single deadliest day for the Jewish community since the Second World War. Israel answered by beginning a military offensive in Gaza which has claimed more than 67,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its figures are seen as trustworthy by the United Nations and other international bodies. "The aggressive opponents have hit us hard, but they have not broken us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day. He also vowed to "achieve all the goals of the war: the return of all the abducted, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the promise that Gaza will never again create a threat to Israel". Commemorative Events Across Israel The national leadership delayed official remembrance events until mid-October - after the end of the festive season - but events still took place across the country on that day. A memorial ceremony for the families of Israelis who died in the Hamas incident was held in Tel Aviv. Arranged by the families themselves, it was broadcast throughout Israeli television channels. Some time earlier, a minute's silence was respected across the country. Negotiation Talks in Egypt At the same time, Israeli and Hamas delegations met in the North African tourist destination of the negotiation venue for a second day of third-party negotiations to review the provisions of the agreement. A prominent Palestinian official familiar with the discussions indicated that an late session of mediated discussions commenced at 7 PM local time. The representative said the morning session ended without significant progress, because of differences over the proposed Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over assurances Hamas wants to guarantee Israel does not restart combat after the initial stage of the agreement. He noted that the talks are "tough and have yet to achieve any major advancement," but pointed out that intermediaries are striving to reduce the differences between the conflicting groups. Key Matters in Talks An enduring halt to fighting The exchange of the hostages still detained by Hamas for detainees from Gaza The pullout of troops from Gaza Measures for humanitarian aid provision Post-war management of the area Citizen Feeling In Tel Aviv's public square previously, young Hagar - whose family member endured the incident on the Nova music festival, where hundreds were killed and dozens more were abducted by Hamas gunmen - explained: "No location appears as home anymore and until each abducted person return not a single person will have peace of mind." "After we see all home once more, we can feel relief once more. Then we can begin to heal," she continued. Near the prime minister's official dwelling in the capital, people assembled to demonstrate their support for the relatives of the captives. Israel reports nearly fifty continue in detention in Gaza, twenty of whom are considered to be alive. Activist one woman stated: "It's necessary do every compromise required for the captives to be released. But we truly desire guarantees that we will be safe." Opinion polls now frequently demonstrate that approximately the majority of Israeli citizens prefer the war to conclude in return for the release of the hostages. Gaza Situation At the location of the gathering, those paying respects assembled to pay their respects. From there, the noise of Israeli air strikes and shelling could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where local people reported the heavy Israeli attacks continued. In the main city, bombardments were documented in the morning of Tuesday in the west side Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and Nasr districts and in the east side district of that sector, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwest. "As the night comes, the anxiety arrives with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose teenage son was died by an Israeli air strike earlier, explained. "Me and my three children are fearful of the attacks. Throughout the evening we are resting together, clinging, especially my smallest child who rests his face on me the entire evening." "Constantly we check the reports to see the situation. And I'm worried that this truce will not be achieved and that the war will come back to us." Humanitarian Crisis The healthcare center in the urban area said it had taken in the corpses of half dozen people by the afternoon, including several who died in an Israeli strike in the south part area. Another medical facility in the south region of the city indicated additional fatalities had been transported. One of them was killed by Israeli forces while looking for assistance to the southern area, medical staff reported. The territory's health ministry said a significant number of the {territ