🔗 Share this article

People have come together across the country to remember 24 months since the Hamas-conducted attack on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions proceeded in the neighboring country over an end to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

The assault saw more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken back to Gaza as captives. It was the single most lethal day for the Jewish community since the World War II.

Israel answered by beginning a defensive operation in Gaza which has killed in excess of 67,000 people, as reported by the region's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its numbers are regarded as reliable by the UN and other world agencies.

"Our violent opponents have caused great damage, but they have not defeated us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on Tuesday.

He also promised to "realize all the aims of the war: the homecoming of all the abducted, the destruction of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will never again pose a risk to Israel".

Remembrance Ceremonies Across Israel

The government authorities rescheduled official commemorations until mid-October - after the completion of the festive season - but gatherings still were held around the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the relatives of Israelis killed in the Hamas attack was held in Tel Aviv. Organized by the victims' relatives, it was televised across Israeli TV networks.

Some time earlier, a minute's silence was held around the country.

Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt

Meanwhile, both sides' negotiating teams met in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of indirect talks to examine the terms of the plan.

A senior delegate familiar with the talks revealed that an late session of mediated discussions started at 7 PM local time.

The official said the earlier meeting finished without tangible results, because of disagreements over the suggested Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over assurances Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not recommence fighting after the opening period of the agreement.

He added that the negotiations are "challenging and have not yet produce any significant progress," but pointed out that facilitators are making efforts to reduce the disparities between the conflicting groups.

Key Issues in Discussions

• An enduring truce
• The trade of the hostages still detained by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The pullout of Israeli forces from Gaza
• Plans for assistance provision
• Post-war governance of the territory

Public Sentiment

In the city's public square earlier, 29-year-old Hagar - whose brother lived through the assault on the gathering, where hundreds were lost their lives and dozens more were captured by Hamas fighters - told: "No location appears as home any longer and until each abducted person come back none of us will be secure."

"Once we see all home once more, we can relax again. Then we can start to recover," she concluded.

Near the leader's residence in Jerusalem, people assembled to demonstrate their solidarity for the loved ones of the hostages. Israel says 48 continue in captivity in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are thought to be alive.

Demonstrator one woman explained: "We must do any agreement necessary for the captives to be released. But we really want promises that we will be safe."

Surveys now frequently demonstrate that about 70% of the population desire the war to end in as payment for the freedom of the hostages.

Gaza Situation

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

From there, the boom of military attacks and shelling could be detected just a short distance away in Gaza, where local people said the heavy Israeli bombardment persisted.

In the urban center, bombardments were noted in the morning of that day in the west side neighborhood, area and zone districts and in the east side district of the community, as well the settlement to the northwestern area.

"When the dusk arrives, the dread comes with it," displaced Gaza City resident a local woman, whose 17-year-old son was killed by an Israeli aerial attack earlier, described.

"We are fearful of the air strikes. All the night we are lying together, holding each other, particularly my little child who rests his face on me throughout the night."

"Constantly we monitor the news to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this truce will not be finalized and that the conflict will resume to us."

Medical Emergency

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City reported it had received the remains of six people by the daytime, including three who died in an Israeli bombing in the southern area.

A different healthcare center in the southern city of the city said additional dead people had been transported. A person was died by Israeli troops while seeking help to the south region, medical staff said.

Gaza's health ministry said twenty-five of the {territ