🔗 Share this article

Israelis have gathered across the country to remember 24 months since the Hamas-initiated attack on that fateful day in October 2023, as discussions proceeded in Egypt over a conclusion to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The assault saw in excess of 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken away to Gaza as hostages. It was the most most fatal day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Israel answered by beginning a military offensive in Gaza which has killed in excess of 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its statistics are considered trustworthy by the United Nations and other international bodies.

"The aggressive enemies have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu added on that day.

He also pledged to "accomplish all the aims of the war: the release of all the abducted, the destruction of the Hamas administration and the assurance that Gaza will never again create a danger to Israel".

Remembrance Events Across Israel

The Israeli government delayed formal memorials until 16 October - after the conclusion of the religious holiday season - but gatherings still were held around the country on that day.

A commemorative event for the families of Israeli citizens who lost their lives in the Hamas incident was held in the coastal city. Arranged by the affected families, it was televised on Israeli broadcast stations.

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

Negotiation Discussions in Egypt

At the same time, Israeli and Hamas delegations gathered in the Egyptian tourist destination of the Egyptian city for a follow-up session of indirect talks to review the provisions of the proposal.

A senior delegate familiar with the discussions said that an evening round of mediated discussions began at 19:00 Cairo time.

The representative said the earlier meeting concluded without concrete outcomes, due to disagreements over the proposed Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas demands to ensure Israel does not resume combat after the first phase of the arrangement.

He noted that the discussions are "tough and have not yet achieve any major advancement," but noted that facilitators are working hard to reduce the differences between the two sides.

Key Issues in Talks

• A permanent halt to fighting
• The swap of the captives still detained by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza
• The withdrawal of troops from Gaza
• Measures for humanitarian aid deliveries
• Future management of the territory

Citizen Feeling

In Tel Aviv's Hostages Square that day, young a woman - whose family member survived the assault on the gathering, where many attendees were killed and many more were abducted by Hamas fighters - explained: "Nowhere feels like home anymore and until every captive return none of us will have peace of mind."

"After we see everybody home returned, we can relax again. Then we can begin to rebuild," she concluded.

Near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, people congregated to demonstrate their solidarity for the families of the hostages. Israel reports nearly fifty stay in captivity in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are thought to be surviving.

Activist one woman remarked: "It's necessary do whatever arrangement necessary for the hostages to return. But we sincerely need promises that we will be secure."

Opinion polls now frequently demonstrate that about 70% of the population want the conflict to end in as payment for the liberation of the abducted.

Palestinian Situation

At the area of Nova festival, mourners assembled to honor the dead.

From the site, the noise of military attacks and shelling could be heard just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses said the intense Israeli bombardment carried on.

In Gaza City, bombardments were reported in the early hours of Tuesday in the west side district, sector and Nasr areas and in the eastern neighbourhood of that sector, as well Shati refugee camp to the northwestern area.

"When the night falls, the dread appears with it," displaced Gaza City resident a mother, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli aerial attack previously, described.

"We are fearful of the attacks. All the night we are sleeping together, holding each other, notably my little child who rests his face on me all night."

"Constantly we look at the reports to see what happened. And I'm afraid that this halt will not be finalized and that the war will resume to us."

Humanitarian Crisis

Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it had taken in the bodies of six people by the midday, including a trio who died in an Israeli attack in the southern al-Sabra neighbourhood.

Nasser hospital in the south region of the city reported another two dead people had been delivered. A person was died by Israeli troops while looking for aid to the south, medical staff stated.

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