🔗 Share this article Israelis commemorate second anniversary of October 7th attacks as Gaza ceasefire talks advance Many gathered at the location of the Nova Music Festival, where over 370 people were killed and many more taken to Gaza as captives People have assembled across the country to remember two years since the Hamas-conducted offensive on 7 October 2023, as negotiations proceeded in the neighboring country over an end to the hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The attack saw over 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others taken away to Gaza as captives. It was the single deadliest day for Jews since the Second World War. Israel responded by launching a military offensive in Gaza which has taken in excess of 67,000 people, as reported by the territory's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its numbers are seen as reliable by the UN and other international bodies. "The bloodthirsty adversaries have caused great damage, but they have not overcome us," the prime minister added on that day. He also promised to "accomplish all the objectives of the war: the release of all the captured, the removal of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will never again create a threat to Israel". Commemorative Events Across Israel The national leadership rescheduled state remembrance events until 16 October - after the completion of the festive season - but gatherings still occurred throughout the country on Tuesday. A memorial ceremony for the relatives of Israelis who lost their lives in the Hamas attack was organized in Tel Aviv. Arranged by the victims' relatives, it was televised on Israeli television channels. A period earlier, a silent tribute was held throughout the country. Negotiation Talks in Egypt Simultaneously, both sides' representatives met in the North African Red Sea resort of the Egyptian city for a second day of third-party negotiations to review the terms of the agreement. A high-ranking Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations indicated that an evening round of indirect talks started at 7 PM local time. The source said the day's discussions ended without tangible results, due to differences over the suggested Israeli withdrawal maps from Gaza and over guarantees Hamas seeks to make certain Israel does not resume combat after the opening period of the arrangement. He noted that the discussions are "tough and have yet to produce any significant progress," but pointed out that intermediaries are working hard to narrow the differences between the two sides. Key Points in Discussions An enduring halt to fighting The trade of the prisoners still kept by Hamas for inmates from Gaza The removal of Israeli forces from Gaza Plans for relief supplies provision Post-war management of the territory Public Feeling In the city's public square previously, 29-year-old a woman - whose brother survived the assault on the Nova music festival, where 378 people were murdered and many more were abducted by Hamas gunmen - told: "No location appears as home any longer and until every captive come back no one will have peace of mind." "When we see everyone home returned, we can breathe once more. Then we can commence heal," she continued. Near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, people assembled to demonstrate their backing for the loved ones of the captives. Israel states nearly fifty remain in detention in Gaza, 20 of whom are thought to be surviving. Demonstrator a participant explained: "It's necessary do whatever arrangement required for the abducted to come back home. But we sincerely need assurances that we will be secure." Opinion polls now consistently show that about the majority of Israeli citizens want the war to finish in return for the freedom of the hostages. Palestinian Circumstances At the area of the gathering, mourners gathered to pay their respects. From there, the boom of military attacks and artillery could be noticed just a few kilometres away in Gaza, where witnesses said the severe Israeli bombardment persisted. In Gaza City, bombardments were documented in the dawn of Tuesday in the western Tal al-Hawa, sector and locality neighbourhoods and in the eastern neighbourhood of Sheikh Radwan, as well the settlement to the north-west. "Once the night arrives, the anxiety appears with it," evacuated Gaza City resident a mother, whose 17-year-old son was lost his life by an Israeli aerial attack previously, shared. "Me and my three children are fearful of the air strikes. All the night we are resting together, embracing, especially my youngest child who places his head on me all night." "Constantly we monitor the news to see developments. And I'm afraid that this ceasefire will not be completed and that the fighting will return to us." Medical Emergency The medical facility in Gaza City said it had taken in the bodies of several people by the afternoon, including three who died in an Israeli attack in the south part area. Nasser hospital in the southern city of the city said additional victims had been transported. One of them was died by Israeli soldiers while looking for aid to the south, medics reported. The region's health ministry announced twenty-five of the {territ