🔗 Share this article Israelis observe second anniversary of 7 October attacks as Gaza peace negotiations advance Some gathered at the site of the music festival, where more than 370 people perished and dozens more abducted to Gaza as hostages Israelis have assembled across the country to commemorate the second anniversary since the Hamas-conducted offensive on 7 October 2023, as discussions continued in the neighboring country over an end to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The attack saw more than 1,200 people dead and 251 others taken away to Gaza as hostages. It was the most most lethal day for the Jewish community since the Holocaust. Israel responded by launching a defensive operation in Gaza which has claimed in excess of 67,000 people, according to the territory's Hamas-administered health ministry. Its numbers are seen as trustworthy by the UN and other world agencies. "The violent adversaries have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on Tuesday. He also pledged to "achieve all the aims of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the elimination of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel". Memorial Events Across Israel The national leadership delayed state remembrance events until mid-October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but events still occurred throughout the country on Tuesday. A remembrance service for the relatives of Israelis killed in the Hamas attack was held in Tel Aviv. Organized by the families themselves, it was broadcast on Israeli broadcast stations. Hours earlier, a minute's silence was observed across the country. Negotiation Talks in Egypt Simultaneously, Israeli and Hamas delegations gathered in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of the Egyptian city for a second day of indirect talks to discuss the provisions of the proposal. A prominent Palestinian official familiar with the talks said that an evening round of negotiations started at 7 PM local time. The source stated the morning session ended without tangible results, due to disagreements over the proposed Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas seeks to make certain Israel does not restart hostilities after the first phase of the deal. He noted that the negotiations are "tough and have not yet achieve any real breakthrough," but noted that intermediaries are making efforts to reduce the differences between the conflicting groups. Key Issues in Discussions A lasting halt to fighting The trade of the hostages still detained by Hamas for detainees from Gaza The removal of troops from Gaza Arrangements for assistance distribution Future administration of the region Public Sentiment In the city's memorial area that day, 29-year-old Hagar - whose sibling survived the incident on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were murdered and numerous more were taken hostage by Hamas militants - explained: "No location appears as home anymore and until each abducted person are released none of us will have peace of mind." "When we see everyone home again, we can breathe again. Then we can start to heal," she continued. In front of the prime minister's home in Jerusalem, people assembled to show their support for the loved ones of the captives. Israel says 48 continue in confinement in Gaza, twenty of whom are believed to be alive. Protester Atalia Regev remarked: "We must do any agreement required for the abducted to come back home. But we really want guarantees that we will be secure." Surveys now regularly indicate that approximately seventy percent of Israeli citizens desire the war to finish in exchange for the freedom of the hostages. Gaza Conditions At the area of Nova festival, grieving people gathered to remember the victims. From there, the boom of Israeli air strikes and shelling could be noticed just a brief space away in Gaza, where witnesses indicated the heavy Israeli bombardment carried on. In the main city, bombardments were noted in the early hours of that day in the west side neighborhood, sector and zone areas and in the east side neighbourhood of the community, as well the camp to the northwest. "As the dusk falls, the anxiety appears with it," evacuated urban resident a local woman, whose young son was died by an Israeli bombing earlier, shared. "My family are fearful of the attacks. Throughout the evening we are resting together, embracing, especially my smallest child who rests his head on me the entire evening." "Every second we check the reports to see what happened. And I'm worried that this halt will not be achieved and that the war will come back to us." Health Situation The healthcare center in the urban area said it had taken in the remains of half dozen people by the daytime, including three who lost their lives in an Israeli strike in the southern area. Another medical facility in the southern urban center of Khan Younis indicated another two dead people had been transported. One of them was lost his life by Israeli forces while attempting to get aid to the south, health workers reported. Gaza's health ministry said 25 of the {territ