🔗 Share this article Israelis mark second anniversary of October 7th incident as Gaza ceasefire negotiations continue Many paid their respects at the site of the music festival, where more than 370 people perished and numerous more abducted to Gaza as hostages People have assembled around the country to mark the second anniversary since the Hamas-led offensive on 7 October 2023, as negotiations continued in Egypt over a conclusion to the war in the Gaza Strip. The attack saw more than 1,200 people losing their lives and 251 others captured back to Gaza as captives. It was the most most lethal day for Jewish people since the Second World War. Israel answered by initiating a defensive operation in Gaza which has taken over 67,000 people, based on figures from the area's Hamas-controlled health ministry. Its statistics are regarded as accurate by the UN and other world agencies. "The bloodthirsty enemies have hit us hard, but they have not overcome us," the leader stated on Tuesday. He also promised to "accomplish all the aims of the war: the release of all the abducted, the removal of the Hamas regime and the assurance that Gaza will no longer present a danger to Israel". Remembrance Events Across Israel The national leadership postponed official remembrance events until October 16th - after the end of the religious holiday season - but gatherings still took place across the country on that day. A remembrance service for the relatives of Israeli citizens who lost their lives in the Hamas attack was held in the coastal city. Put together by the families themselves, it was broadcast on Israeli broadcast stations. Some time earlier, a moment of silence was respected across the country. Ceasefire Meetings in Egypt Simultaneously, both sides' negotiating teams convened in the Egyptian coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh for a continuing round of mediated discussions to review the terms of the plan. A prominent representative involved in the talks revealed that an late session of mediated discussions commenced at 19:00 Cairo time. The representative stated the morning session finished without concrete outcomes, amid conflicting views over the suggested Israeli retreat arrangements from Gaza and over safeguards Hamas seeks to guarantee Israel does not restart hostilities after the opening period of the arrangement. He added that the talks are "tough and have still not produce any real breakthrough," but mentioned that mediators are working hard to close the disparities between the conflicting groups. Essential Points in Talks An enduring truce The exchange of the prisoners still held by Hamas for detainees from Gaza The removal of troops from Gaza Plans for relief supplies provision Future management of the territory Civilian Feeling In the city's memorial area earlier, 29-year-old a woman - whose sibling endured the assault on the outdoor event, where many attendees were killed and many more were captured by Hamas militants - shared: "No location feels like home any longer and until all the hostages return not a single person will have peace of mind." "Once we see everybody home once more, we can breathe once more. Then we can start to rebuild," she concluded. Near the leader's residence in the capital, people gathered to show their support for the families of the captives. Israel says 48 stay in detention in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be surviving. Protester a participant explained: "It's necessary do whatever arrangement needed for the captives to return. But we truly desire guarantees that we will be protected." Surveys now consistently show that around seventy percent of Israelis desire the war to finish in exchange for the liberation of the captives. Gaza Conditions At the site of Nova festival, those paying respects came together to remember the victims. From that location, the noise of Israeli air strikes and artillery could be heard just a brief space away in Gaza, where observers reported the heavy Israeli shelling persisted. In Gaza City, attacks were documented in the dawn of Tuesday in the western Tal al-Hawa, Rimal and locality districts and in the eastern area of that sector, as well the settlement to the north-west. "When the dusk comes, the dread comes with it," relocated urban resident a mother, whose teenage son was lost his life by an Israeli bombing earlier, explained. "We are fearful of the air strikes. All the night we are resting together, clinging, especially my little child who rests his face on me throughout the night." "Every second we check the updates to see developments. And I'm afraid that this halt will not be achieved and that the conflict will return to us." Health Situation Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it had accepted the remains of several people by the midday, including several who lost their lives in an Israeli strike in the southern district. Nasser hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis said another two victims had been delivered. A person was killed by Israeli soldiers while attempting to get assistance to the south region, health workers reported. The region's health ministry reported twenty-five of the {territ