🔗 Share this article

People have come together throughout the country to mark 24 months since the Hamas-initiated assault on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions proceeded in Egypt over an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The incident led to more than 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others captured away to Gaza as hostages. It was the single most lethal day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust.

Israel responded by beginning a defensive operation in Gaza which has killed more than 67,000 people, as reported by the area's Hamas-run health ministry. Its numbers are regarded as reliable by the United Nations and other global organizations.

"Our aggressive opponents have struck forcefully, but they have not broken us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on Tuesday.

He also vowed to "realize all the goals of the war: the release of all the abducted, the destruction of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will never again create a risk to Israel".

Memorial Gatherings Across Israel

The government authorities postponed state commemorations until October 16th - after the conclusion of the Jewish High Holiday season - but ceremonies still took place throughout the country on Tuesday.

A memorial ceremony for the relatives of people killed in the Hamas attack was held in the coastal city. Organized by the families themselves, it was aired throughout Israeli television channels.

Hours earlier, a silent tribute was respected throughout the country.

Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas delegations convened in the Egyptian tourist destination of Sharm el-Sheikh for a follow-up session of mediated discussions to discuss the conditions of the proposal.

A senior representative involved in the discussions revealed that an late session of mediated discussions commenced at 19:00 Cairo time.

The source explained the earlier meeting finished without concrete outcomes, due to disagreements over the proposed Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas demands to guarantee Israel does not recommence combat after the initial stage of the deal.

He commented that the talks are "difficult and have not yet deliver any real breakthrough," but noted that mediators are making efforts to close the gaps between the both parties.

Essential Matters in Negotiations

• A lasting truce
• The swap of the captives still kept by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The withdrawal of military personnel from Gaza
• Arrangements for relief supplies provision
• Future governance of the region

Citizen Reaction

In Tel Aviv's public square previously, young Hagar - whose brother endured the assault on the outdoor event, where 378 people were killed and many more were taken hostage by Hamas militants - shared: "No location feels like home now and until each abducted person come back not a single person will be secure."

"Once we see everybody home again, we can feel relief again. Then we can commence recover," she continued.

Outside the leader's home in the capital, people assembled to express their support for the loved ones of the hostages. Israel says forty-eight remain in captivity in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be alive.

Demonstrator a participant stated: "We must do whatever arrangement necessary for the captives to return. But we really want promises that we will be safe."

Research now consistently show that about seventy percent of Israeli citizens prefer the war to end in as payment for the liberation of the hostages.

Palestinian Situation

At the area of the music event, those paying respects gathered to remember the victims.

From the site, the boom of Israeli air strikes and artillery could be heard just a short distance away in Gaza, where observers indicated the intense Israeli bombardment carried on.

In the main city, bombardments were noted in the early hours of that day in the western Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and Nasr neighbourhoods and in the east side neighbourhood of the community, as well the settlement to the north-west.

"Once the night comes, the anxiety comes with it," evacuated Gaza City resident a local woman, whose young son was lost his life by an Israeli aerial attack previously, explained.

"We are fearful of the attacks. During nighttime we are resting together, embracing, especially my youngest child who rests his face on me all night."

"Continuously we monitor the news to see the situation. And I'm concerned that this ceasefire will not be achieved and that the fighting will return to us."

Medical Situation

The medical facility in the urban area said it had received the corpses of half dozen people by the afternoon, including a trio who lost their lives in an Israeli bombing in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood.

Nasser hospital in the southern urban center of that area said another two fatalities had been brought there. One of them was lost his life by Israeli forces while seeking assistance to the south region, health workers said.

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