🔗 Share this article Israeli citizens commemorate second remembrance of 7 October attacks as Palestinian peace talks continue Some gathered at the grounds of the music festival, where over 370 people were killed and many more taken to Gaza as hostages Citizens have assembled around the country to commemorate 24 months since the Hamas-led assault on 7 October 2023, as talks proceeded in the neighboring country over a resolution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The attack led to more than 1,200 people killed and 251 others abducted away to Gaza as prisoners. It was the most most lethal day for Jews since the World War II. Israel responded by initiating a defensive operation in Gaza which has claimed over 67,000 people, based on figures from the area's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its numbers are considered accurate by the UN and other world agencies. "Our violent opponents have hit us hard, but they have not overcome us," Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on Tuesday. He also promised to "achieve all the objectives of the war: the return of all the kidnapped, the removal of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will no longer create a risk to Israel". Memorial Ceremonies Across Israel The national leadership rescheduled formal commemorations until 16 October - after the end of the religious holiday season - but ceremonies still occurred across the country on Tuesday. A commemorative event for the families of Israelis who died in the Hamas incident was organized in the coastal city. Put together by the affected families, it was televised throughout Israeli television channels. Hours earlier, a moment of silence was respected across the country. Ceasefire Discussions in Egypt Simultaneously, Israeli and Hamas representatives met in the Egyptian tourist destination of the Egyptian city for a follow-up session of mediated discussions to discuss the terms of the plan. A senior representative involved in the talks revealed that an evening round of mediated discussions commenced at 19:00 Cairo time. The source said the earlier meeting concluded without significant progress, due to conflicting views over the suggested Israeli pullout plans from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas demands to guarantee Israel does not recommence hostilities after the first phase of the agreement. He added that the discussions are "tough and have not yet achieve any major advancement," but noted that facilitators are striving to close the gaps between the both parties. Critical Matters in Negotiations A lasting halt to fighting The swap of the prisoners still held by Hamas for detainees from Gaza The withdrawal of military personnel from Gaza Arrangements for assistance deliveries Post-war management of the territory Citizen Reaction In Tel Aviv's public square that day, young Hagar - whose family member endured the assault on the gathering, where many attendees were murdered and dozens more were abducted by Hamas gunmen - shared: "No place feels like home any longer and until all the hostages come back no one will have peace of mind." "Once we see all home returned, we can breathe anew. Then we can start to rebuild," she added. Near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official dwelling in the capital, people gathered to demonstrate their backing for the loved ones of the captives. Israel says 48 stay in confinement in Gaza, approximately twenty of whom are thought to be surviving. Activist Atalia Regev remarked: "We need do whatever arrangement needed for the captives to return. But we truly desire assurances that we will be secure." Opinion polls now frequently demonstrate that about seventy percent of Israelis desire the hostilities to end in as payment for the freedom of the captives. Gaza Conditions At the location of the gathering, grieving people assembled to pay their respects. From there, the noise of military attacks and shelling could be detected just a brief space away in Gaza, where witnesses said the intense Israeli bombardment continued. In the urban center, air and artillery strikes were reported in the dawn of Tuesday in the western neighborhood, area and Nasr neighbourhoods and in the east side neighbourhood of the community, as well Shati refugee camp to the north-west. "As the dusk comes, the fear comes with it," displaced urban resident a local woman, whose teenage son was died by an Israeli bombing previously, explained. "We are fearful of the bombings. All the night we are sleeping together, clinging, particularly my youngest child who puts his face on me all night." "Every second we look at the reports to see the situation. And I'm afraid that this ceasefire will not be completed and that the conflict will return to us." Health Emergency Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City reported it had taken in the remains of six people by the afternoon, including three who died in an Israeli attack in the south part al-Sabra neighbourhood. A different healthcare center in the southern urban center of the city reported two more fatalities had been brought there. One of them was killed by Israeli forces while looking for assistance to the south region, health workers said. Gaza's health ministry announced 25 of the {territ